The head of a national group representing traders has labelled Nottingham City Council "arrogant" after the authority suggested it would not meet to discuss the Victoria Market's future. Amid continued uncertainty about whether Nottingham City Council will close the Victoria Market, it has told the National Market Traders Federation there is "little to be gained" from providing a "running commentary" on the site.
Some of the remaining traders say the market is being "strangled" by the uncertainty the council's delay is causing. Joe Harrison, the chief executive of the National Market Traders Federation for the last 17 years, wrote to the council on March 10 requesting a meeting.Writing to the council's leader, Councillor David Mellen, Mr Harrison said traders found themselves in "complete limbo" after having "run down their stocks" for the February 24 date.
Reacting to this reply, Mr Harrison said: "In my 17 years in this role I don't think I've ever been so angry. When the council says there is little to be gained from this, there is certainly a lot to be gained for the traders. John Easom, who owns the Gold Bank Jewellers, said: "Nobody knows what else we can do now. We had all agreed offers of compensation, even though right from the off none of the traders wanted to do this, but now the February 24 date has passed and we've got no certainty."