Blackburn market service cost hike delayed

6:00pm Monday 7th January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

ANGRY Blackburn Market traders have won a reprieve over a ‘ridiculous’ proposed backdated rise in council service charges after threatening revolt.

The increase, which could land stallholders with bills for hundreds of pounds, has been delayed until March while borough property boss Dave Harling looks again at the proposed fee.

Market manager Keith Holden has written to traders informing them of the delay and review. Bosses acted after fears the rise could force some traders out of business.

Some stallholders threatened to withhold direct debit rents unless the rise is cut and the backdating waived. Two of them are still not convinced the rise will be reduced despite Coun Harling promising to seek a ‘realistic’ compromise.

Under the original plan the annual cost for food and non-food stalls would rise by £2.90 per square foot, from £17 to £19.90. Cafes and catering stalls would see an increase of £2.40 per square foot from £19.50 to £21.90. Most stalls have been paying a lower estimated cost monthly on top of rents ranging from £500 a month to £2,000-plus.

The extra charge was due to be backdated for last year and collected by the end of this month landing stalls of the average 250 square foot size paying £725 and cafe/catering stalls £600 if the higher service charge kicked in. Larger traders faced paying considerably more.

Coun Harling said: “We are looking at every cost involved. We want to come up with a realistic charge.”

Daniel Moffett, of Butlers Family Restaurant, said: “The letter actually promises nothing, but even a short reprieve helps. March is a better time to pay than January.”

Comments (4)

8:57am Tue 8 Jan 13

Mister Red says...

Do these stall holders have any form of written contracts? Surely,if they agree,in writing,to a set rent then it cannot later be changed.
Do these stall holders have any form of written contracts? Surely,if they agree,in writing,to a set rent then it cannot later be changed. Mister Red

10:43am Tue 8 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

Mister Red wrote:
Do these stall holders have any form of written contracts? Surely,if they agree,in writing,to a set rent then it cannot later be changed.
I don't know why your sticking up for them the less they pay, the more we pay in council tax.
[quote][p][bold]Mister Red[/bold] wrote: Do these stall holders have any form of written contracts? Surely,if they agree,in writing,to a set rent then it cannot later be changed.[/p][/quote]I don't know why your sticking up for them the less they pay, the more we pay in council tax. 2 for 5p

12:02am Wed 9 Jan 13

Carl_24 says...

And all this is from a market that claims to "market of the year"... Pathetic.
And all this is from a market that claims to "market of the year"... Pathetic. Carl_24

11:55pm Wed 9 Jan 13

woolywords says...

oh dear, last minute change of sad mind-set over hikie in rents, to prevent a mass exit, leaving the market as a car park for Mall staff..
Gawds sake, you want to bump the rents, for the barely finished market, without a ceiling?
which part of lah-lah land are you ppl from? Get more sense from the village idiot.

oh, footfall...it's gone down!
They moved the bus stops...
same shop, different outlet, 75% off here..
same thing, different town, even cheaper..
welcome to rip-off Blackburn! Your Mall, some stall, what a rip..

Were it not for the food in Butlers, I'd tell you where to shove your Mall, I really would. It's a disgraceful thing.
With your over-priced, near out of date foodstuffs, served in shoddy conditions, more suited to a third world country than the UK, it's an utter disgrace palce to visit.
In fact, visit Blackburn market, have a look, see what grinds my teeth! Then have a complete anuerism, ask a 5 year olld how to design a market and then build that.
Has to better than that dogs dinner that we are told is, an award wiinning market..
Award winning market, my backside it is..
oh dear, last minute change of sad mind-set over hikie in rents, to prevent a mass exit, leaving the market as a car park for Mall staff.. Gawds sake, you want to bump the rents, for the barely finished market, without a ceiling? which part of lah-lah land are you ppl from? Get more sense from the village idiot. oh, footfall...it's gone down! They moved the bus stops... same shop, different outlet, 75% off here.. same thing, different town, even cheaper.. welcome to rip-off Blackburn! Your Mall, some stall, what a rip.. Were it not for the food in Butlers, I'd tell you where to shove your Mall, I really would. It's a disgraceful thing. With your over-priced, near out of date foodstuffs, served in shoddy conditions, more suited to a third world country than the UK, it's an utter disgrace palce to visit. In fact, visit Blackburn market, have a look, see what grinds my teeth! Then have a complete anuerism, ask a 5 year olld how to design a market and then build that. Has to better than that dogs dinner that we are told is, an award wiinning market.. Award winning market, my backside it is.. woolywords

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