TRADERS at Pickering’s Monday market have said they are checking their legal position as part of their fight against plans to move the market to the Ropery car park.

The market will temporarily relocate to the car park from this Monday, January 23, for six weeks, while Pickering undergoes a programme of gasworks on Hungate, with traffic diverted up Market Place.

The Ropery car park will be closed from 5am until 5pm each Monday during this period. Signs are up directing people to park at Vivis Lane and Eastgate on those days.

But there is also a consultation in progress between the town council and the district council to make the move permanent.

Joanne Dawson, who runs a card stall on the market, said: “Legally, we don’t think that they can permanently move us. If they do move us, the market will just subside. It’s no good trading where there’s no footfall.”

She said that the last time they had to temporarily move there, traders lost money. “When we came back onto the street, people said ‘we didn’t come because we couldn’t get parked anywhere’.”

As for this latest consultation, she said: “We’ve not heard anything at the moment. Nobody’s come forward to speak to us yet.”

She said they are hoping to set themselves up as an official group as part of the National Market Traders Federation.

“We’re trying to get some legal backing behind us, see what our legal rights are. Historically it’s been here since King John ruled the land.

“The market’s good for the town. Why would they want to ruin that?

Another trader, Simon Harper, who sells silver jewellery and artifacts, agreed, saying: “This is an original chartered market. There’s a sign on the wall that says Market Place - this is where the market is, where it’s always been.”

Steph Medcalf of Ryedale District Council said that traders will be consulted on any relocation plan: “Pickering Town Council plan to consult with members of the public and local businesses to understand their views on the preferred location of Pickering Market.

“A permanent relocation of Pickering Market is a possibility, however as with any decision Ryedale District Council makes about the services it provides, a full consultation will be carried out beforehand.

“Any change would also require a sound business case and no action would be taken without communications with the market traders.”