Trader should have been given chance to respond to complaints

I am sincerely sorry that Mr Trickett had such a disappointing experience following his visit to the market on Christmas Eve. I completely appreciate his annoyance and frustration — particularly at such an important time of year — that his purchase was not of the quality standard he has a right to expect.

Of course, I respect any customer’s right to raise their dissatisfaction in ways they feel appropriate. However, as Markets Manager, it is my job to build a close working relationship with our traders and I know that the individual business concerned (and

I don’t know precisely which one it was) would have welcomed the chance to discuss the problem face-to-face and to have the opportunity to put the problem right.

While the problem on Christmas Day would still have occurred, there would at least have been the opportunity afterwards to provide a refund and/or replacement produce, along with an apology for the inconvenience caused.

Mr Trickett would also have received an explanation regarding the impact of the incredibly wet weather we have experienced over the last 12 months on the price and quality of some varieties of English potato — the problem not always becoming evident until the potato itself is cut. Indeed, many traders have been forced to buy potatoes from other parts of Europe to avoid this problem.

I sincerely hope that Mr Trickett will not be deterred from returning to Rotherham Markets, where our fruit and vegetable traders pride themselves on the quality and value-for-money of their produce, and the standards of their service.

It would be both sad and unfair for their valued reputation to be damaged en masse and their livelihood affected for a problem that the individual trader concerned should have had the opportunity to remedy.

Robin Lambert,  Manager Rotherham Markets