Ely Market Campaigners Are Hoping Last Ditch Appeal Will See Stalls Proposal Withdrawn
CAMPAIGNERS are hoping that a last ditch appeal to councillors this week will see plans to withdraw the provision of market stalls to traders in Ely rejected. The campaigners are set to present a petition carrying the names of more than 5000 people to a m
CAMPAIGNERS are hoping that a last ditch appeal to councillors this week will see plans to withdraw the provision of market stalls to traders in Ely rejected.
The campaigners are set to present a petition carrying the names of more than 5000 people to a meeting of the full council on Tuesday, where members will vote on whether to accept the unpopular proposal or plump for an alternative plan.
If approved, East Cambridgeshire District Council (ECDC) will stop providing market traders with the pre-erected stalls from April, forcing them to find alternative arrangements which many traders have said could destroy the market.
Market trader Chris Davis, told the Ely Standard: "I am expecting a lot of traders to attend the meeting but I don't hold out much hope that we can get the decision reversed.
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"I think many councillors have made up their minds, but I think that they have been surprised by how much support that has rallied against these plans."
"If councillors opt to withdraw the stalls it will be the end for me trading in Ely, I can't afford to buy a new stand and a van to transport it in."
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As well as the petition, Liberal Democrat councillors are also hoping to table a new motion that could see the withdrawal of the market stalls delayed while officers investigate how the market could be strengthened.
ECDC has had to make sweeping spending cuts in recent weeks in order to cover a �1.6 million deficit it is facing for 2010/11 budget. The authority is hoping to save around �30,000 by withdrawing the stalls.
