Friday 27 February 2009
PLANS to privatise Burton's market could take a massive step forward in the coming months, leading to fears from traders that the millennium-old site could be torn from its community roots.
Council bosses have been consulting with traders over the last six weeks about plans for a private operator to take over the market.
One of the priorities in East Staffordshire Borough Council's corporate plan for the next two years is to deliver the 'development of Burton open air market'.
Authority bosses were quizzed on what exactly what the development would entail at a recent full council meeting.
Council leader Alex Fox stopped short of revealing exact details of the proposals.
However, he did reveal that following the consultation period the council will make recommendations on how to take the plans forward.
He said: "All of us want the markets to remain in Burton and Uttoxeter and how we do that is due for review.
However, traders being consulted on the plans say there is a history across the country of private sector operators charging extortionate rent fees, before suddenly selling up.
Ken Dakin, who has run a carpet stall for 40 years, says he has seen several privately run markets go to the wall.
He said: "Based on my personal experience of other privately run markets, the companies often act like cowboys.
"They implement sharp practices, with lots of security people milling about - that's not the kind of atmosphere customers will want."
Alongside the market plans, council bosses are currently drawing up a Burton Town Centre action plan and hope to start consultation in June on their preferred options.
Further consultation will be held in November before the action plan is submitted to the Secretary of State in February next year.
It is hoped the plan can be adopted by May, 2011.
events round up
Sunday 12th September - Tuesday 14th September
Annual Conference Read More
Tuesday 5th October
Street & Specialist Markets Seminar Read More
What is RSS
