8:59am Friday 3rd July 2009
By Jess Childs
PLANS to move Hereford’s open market into the city centre have been blocked after a much anticipated re-launch was scuppered by angry traders.
Herefordshire Council’s £50,000 project to move stalls from the livestock market, negotiated in the face of strong opposition, was due to take place on Saturday.
But a medieval-themed opening failed to materialise after Buttermarket Traders Association issued a High Court injunction to temporarily halt the relocation.
Chairman Len Tawn said the 2003 Hereford Markets Act, which protects the Buttermarket against such events, has been subject to “erroneous interpretation”
by the council and that, as council tenants, traders also expect the authority not to “commercially undermine” their businesses.
“We have been forced into this action. It is not without very serious financial risk to ourselves. We do not hold any malice toward fellow traders but in this instance, to be given a prime location in the city within 100 metres of the Buttermarket on the two busiest days of the week would clearly affect our livelihoods,” he said.
But the council’s director for environment and culture, Michael Hainge, said Mr Tawn had scored a “spectacular own goal” after consultation showed great public support for the move.
“The last minute timing of Mr Tawn’s injunction has caused maximum inconvenience to local people and the council’s efforts to bring colour, life and customers to Hereford city centre,” Mr Hainge said.
He added Herefordshire Council would now “vigorously contest” the application.
In the meantime stallholders will continue trading at its current site every Wednesday and Saturday.
■ A separate consultation is underway to establish the best way forward for the Buttermarket. Herefordshire Council has launched a questionnaire to find out how the market is used and how the public thinks it should look following a proposed future refurbishment.
It is available at herefordshirecouncil.com.
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