Bazaar plan is ‘Bizarre’

The proposed Asian Bazaar (or should that be Bizarre?) is yet another stab in the back for loyal market traders who have had to put up with the council’s many ludicrous schemes over the years. It also shows how hypocritical RMBC is, in as much that a few years ago the Royal Charter, which is supposed to protect the trading rights of Rotherham traders, was strictly enforced. Now, not only is it not enforced, but is totally ignored by those whose job it is to provide support for the markets.

None of the decision makers who approved this bazaar have any experience of markets or market trading whatsoever (I have often said that their knowledge of the subject is on a par with my knowledge of Particle Physics, ie none), and yet they have somehow come to the bizarre (excuse the pun) conclusion that the extra market will enhance current trading conditions.

At a recent meeting with Councillor Smith and his cronies it was suggested by traders that the 2012 customer survey had been misinterpreted, in as much that the desire for more markets was probably made by people who didn’t know of the existence of the outdoor covered market — a point which was totally rejected by the council, but which is well known to the traders who stand on the street market on a Tuesday.

At this meeting, a copy of a survey and petition of retailers in Bradford, which doesn’t support the views expressed by the council in the Advertiser, was totally disregarded. The information given to Rotherham retailers who undertook the survey in Bradford showed that the actions of the Bazaar organisers had had a detrimental effect on trade in the city, not only to the market but to shops as well. This opinion was also shared by retailers in Leeds who took part in a telephone survey.

The news of investment in the markets is most welcome, but it has to be put into perspective. Fifteen years ago, a large amount of money was invested in what is now the outdoor covered market. It has to be remembered that the current state of the outdoor market is largely due to the inappropriate decisions taken by the council at the time — and the people who made those decisions are the ones still running the place now.

The opinions of the ‘Retail Guru’ Mary Portas are often quoted by the markets management as being a source of pride. In reality, her visit coincided with the Tuesday street market which gave her a rosy picture of Rotherham markets which belies reality. I have tried to contact her with the suggestion that she visits on a Monday or a Friday to get a clearer picture (Saturday, which is the main market day, wouldn’t be any good, as the manager wouldn’t be available to guide her round).

This may well be the last letter I write from the address below, as I am leaving the market at the end of June after 25 years of trading, a decision which has come about due to this latest example of inept management.

May I take this opportunity to thank the people of Rotherham for their enthusiastic support over the years.

Andy Albon, Glass Engraving

Stall, Rotherham Outdoor Market (Saturday)

More Letters to the Editor

Read what others are saying about this and other issues in Rotherham in the Your Views section in this Friday’s Advertiser