Market traders pack bags after council hikes charges with just SIX DAYS notice |
Aylsham Market showcases the best of what the local businesses has to offer in the town centre, with some traders selling from their stalls for more than 50 years.
But now, traders and shoppers alike are worried about the market's future after Aylsham Town Council hiked the on-the-day pitch fees by 67pc with only six days notice.
And some stallowners have already packed their bags in response, saying that the charge increase has made it "unviable" to continue.
However, the council has claimed that it has not increased fees since 2018 and said costs are now "closely aligned with those of other market towns".
It has also said it has given reductions for businesses paying six months in advance or annually.
A bustling scene at Aylsham market in November 1989 (Image: Archant Library)
Stuart Youngs, who runs a stall for key cutting and watch batteries, has now decided to leave Aylsham market after eight years of trading, claiming the rise would make trading there "unviable".
He said: "A huge rent increase such as this really affects small traders like us on the market, and although they gave us the option to pay six months or a year in advance to keep the price down, that’s just not viable for most of the traders in the current climate.
"Aylsham itself is a great little town and the customers there are fantastic, but with increased fuel and market rents it’s becoming unviable for me to trade there."
Stuart Youngs is leaving Aylsham Market after eight years. (Image: AB)
He will continue to trade at other markets across Norfolk, including at Sheringham.
Heather Miller is another trader who has decided to leave the market following the council's notice, just weeks after starting there.
She described the change as "huge and totally unexpected".
"If I wish to continue to pay £9 a week I need to pay six months in advance by bank transfer £207. Should I still wish to pay weekly that would increase to £15 per week, a 66pc increase.
"For me it’s out of the question to pay six months in advance."
Deborah Dixon started on the market with Debbie’s Households Goods stall in 1987 and now runs Debbie's Pet Supplies. (Image: Aylsham Market / Facebook)
Deborah Dixon, who now runs Debbie's Pet Supplies but formerly ran Debbie's Household Goods since 1987, is one of the traders who has been left concerned by the changes.
"I have run the market over the years and I am really quite upset about it. We were only given six days notice.
"We are a lifeline for the elderly people and us traders are like a little family. We are already struggling and this is another blow."
Her husband Cecil Dixon also manages his own stall called Lilac Nurseries, which was first started by his father Stanley in 1973.
He said: "We are gutted. This is not what we needed."
Mr Dixon added that this may be one of the largest increases in recent years and criticised the lack of notice the council gave, noting that Swaffham market was told of a 3pc increase three months in advance.
Cecil Dixon is the owner of Lilac Nurseries and started on the Monday market with his father, Stanley, in 1973. (Image: Aylsham Market / Facebook)
Fresh fruit and veg for sale at Aylsham market. Date: May 13, 1993 (Image: Archant Library)
A spokeswoman for the Aylsham Town Council said for traders who choose to pay annually in advance fees will be lower than they are currently and those paying six months in advance will see no change.
These are the rates in place since 2018, but traders claim there was a fee review in 2021.
"Our on-the-day charges have been reviewed and are now more closely aligned with those of other market towns, representing a fair reflection of the benefits provided," she said.
The increases as shown by the Aylsham Town Council. (Image: Aylsham Town Council)
The council added that it has secured a £6,500 grant from Norfolk County Council’s High Streets Matter scheme to help increase footfall in the town centre.
Of this funding, £1,909 has been specifically allocated to provide entertainment at the Food and Craft Markets, helping to attract more visitors to the market place and support traders.