A consultation was carried out between April and June this year, putting forward a proposal to end the lease after over 50 years of operation.
The council has cited "costs outside of the council's control" and changes in shopping habits exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic as reasons behind their decision. A six-week consultation found that the majority of people supported the council continuing to run, subsidise and invest in the market.
Yet, the decision has been made to end the lease. Acting Lead Councillor for Markets at the authority, Councillor Linda Woodings, said: “Our proposal to end the lease would save estimated running costs of £39m over the remaining 50 years of the current agreement, helping us to meet our duty to deliver value for money for local taxpayers.
"We have considered the feedback from the public, traders and the landlord. Following a review of the options in light of the consultee responses, the council’s officers are likely to recommend the council ends its lease and operation of the Victoria Market. We understand this would be a huge disappointment not only for customers and the wider public, but especially for traders at the market.
“We will now embark on further engagement with all traders and the landlord, before a final recommendation is made to councillors for a decision.”
Should do a big outdoor market. When I was in Caen, they shut all the normal shops on a Sunday and the streets are lined with local market traders instead. Makes for a better local economy. But our councils all suck off the corporate nutsack so they won’t even fund this place.