Struggling traders in market action call

David Wilson, whose bosses recently made a successful bid to take over the operation of the Saturday market, said they were “struggling” to cover costs.

Blaming steep rents levied by the local authority landlords, he said: “There are many reasons (why Malton market is failing) including negativity from the traders and members of the public. Rents are high and we are just covering costs.”

Business leaders, councillors and market operators from all five towns shared their views on how the weekly markets should be improved in the district on Monday night.

Shop owner and chairman of Malton’s Business in Action group Denys Townsend urged officials to save the traditional market from the doldrums.

He said: “Anybody visiting Malton market at the moment must be disappointed. For years the open air market has been neglected, rules have been broken or ignored.

“Traders pack up by 3pm and shoppers must think that Malton is closed early on Saturday afternoons.”

He warned: “If we lose the market we have lost a great possibility to develop the town.”

Also at the meeting was Christine Richardson from the Kirkbymoorside Memorial Hall Committee, who runs the town’s market as a not-for-profit operation.

She said their system is a winning formula.

“We are not in it for profit and that’s the reason why Kirkby market is a success,” she said.

“Our rents are reasonable and on market day the town is a hive of activity.”

Chief executive of Ryedale District Council, Janet Waggott, who chaired the meeting, said street markets must entice visitors to the area.

She said: “Let’s start putting our money where our mouth is. We need to look at the future of our market towns and if they need help and investment. We need to also look at whether we should devolve power for towns to run their own market if they are the best person to do that job.”

Views aired at the meeting will be passed on to the council’s Community Services Committee, which will meet on July 24.