Traders feel unheard after presenting a petition against Cambridge market redesign plans to the council leader.
Traders gave council leader Mike Davey their petition, asking to keep at least 54 permanent stalls. Many traders need two or three stalls each to display their goods. The traders presented a petition with 1,800 signatures expressing their concerns.
Councilors responded by saying traders were “clinging to the past” and told them to trust the council more. The council claims they already changed the market’s plans. Glenys Self presented the trader’s petition at a council meeting.
Self said the plan could kill the market because gazebos lack long-term guarantees. She explained that the council might not fund staff to erect them. The city council will also cease to exist in 2028, so future authorities may not support the market. Furthermore, event schedules remain unclear to traders.
Self said the project created uncertainty for seven years, because new businesses avoided the market as a result. She pleaded for 54 permanent stalls and a contract to erect stalls, which would bind the council to support them.
Self said she was shocked and angered by the council’s response. She felt councilors were patronizing them, but traders do want change. She stated that the market is filthy and neglected, and she hoped to meet the council halfway.
Tim Bick claimed people often resist change, especially when it comes to historic places. However, resisting change can lead to decline. He added that discussions are already happening with traders. He stopped short of directly supporting the petition.
Rosy Moore stated that they meet with traders monthly and that public consultations also happened. She said the plans changed based on the feedback received, as original plans featured fully removable stalls, but the feedback led to some permanent stalls now.
Simon Smith asked for more trust from the traders, saying they do not plan to harm the market but instead want to revitalize it. Hugh Clough supported the trader’s petition, emphasizing the importance of heeding their needs.
Clough added that traders know what their businesses need, and if they need 54 stalls, they should get them. The market gives the council over £300,000 yearly, indicating the council should listen to them.
The council showed traders five gazebo designs that could serve as the demountable stalls. Self stated only one gazebo option was suitable because it’s the only one that fixes to the ground.
Moore responded that all options worked in other markets and were proven across the UK and Europe. The designs were tested in all types of conditions, she noted.