I WAS delighted to read that Fred Brown, leader of East Cambs District Council, had sought to allay some of the fears that stallholders have over changes in the way the market is organised in Ely, in last week s letter to the Ely Standard. Through your pa

I WAS delighted to read that Fred Brown, leader of East Cambs District Council, had sought to allay some of the fears that stallholders have over changes in the way the market is organised in Ely, in last week's letter to the Ely Standard.

Through your pages, I would be grateful if he could answer some further questions about the new arrangements regarding Ely Markets, for the benefit of the stall holders and all the people (more than 5,000) who have already signed the petition.

1. Has he visited Ely Market recently, and really looked at the size of table and canopy each collectable stallholder needs? Has he felt the weight of all these items? Will his new folding stalls be as big? (if not, it won't be worth the stallholders coming).

2. Has he checked on the market's insurance and consulted with his own health and safety experts to see if these new folding stalls he proposes will be safe and fit for purpose both for the stallholders and the public?

3. If there is a big waiting list for the market, why are there always gaps, particularly on Saturdays?

4. Can he reassure us, that stallholders will be replaced, like with like? In other words, a collectable stall will be replaced with another one, rather than a general stall, which might start to harm the surrounding shops.

5. What is the revenue to the council of the market per year? (only then can we appreciate what a saving the �31,000 is worth)

6. If there is such a waiting list and to make more money for the council, how about starting Sunday Markets immediately? (the Masterplan recommends an expansion of the markets)

7. Has he considered leaving some of the market stalls up permanently, (we keep reading quotes about what other councils do, well this is something that OTHER councils do!) as this could solve the problem at a stroke?

TED CONEY

Waterside, Ely