Common Sense Solution Needed For Ely Markets

AS a member of the public, I attended the council meeting concerning Ely markets last week and a very sad affair it was, too.

Led by the mayor of Ely, Tory councillors voted to increase the price of erecting stalls to �10, plus VAT, per week in the full knowledge that �5, plus VAT, would have more than covered the money they needed to raise.

It was also made clear to them, that at least 18 traders who sell collectables at the market would stop coming if they went for the higher rent, and some of the farmers’ market traders would also have to give up.

The Liberal Democrats made a very good point, that the tourists come for the Collectable and Farmers Markets and then, of course, spend other money in the city. Most markets sell fruit and veg, but not many have specialist stalls.

So why did councillors take this high handed approach even though they say they want the markets to flourish? A good question and one that they need to explain to the people of Ely.

Let us hope the town centre manager and the chief executive will be able to guide councillors towards a more common sense solution in the weeks to come.

TED CONEY

Waterside

Ely