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From left: Exmouth Market traders Dominique AE Manceur, James Howland, Lee Lincoln, Urvesh Patel, and Luca Perinu (front) outside the Town Hall |
Traders strike deal to limit rate increase
TRADERS at Exmouth market have won a battle to block plans to raise the rent on their stalls by more than 100 per cent.
Members of Islington’s licensing committee decided on Tuesday that traders should not be subject to the same increases as the better-placed Whitecross Street or Chapel Markets, after hearing how Exmouth had been neglected over the years.
The committee heard how the market had suffered from little investment – with pitches having no access to electricity or running water – and was facing a massive loss of customers when the Guardian newspaper moves from its offices in Farringdon. There will be an exodus of 4,000 staff when the building closes later this month.
Now, traders’ rates will go up by 50 per cent, from £30 to £45 per week, instead of the proposed £65.
Councillor Tracy Ismail, who chaired the meeting, said: “We consider Exmouth Market to be an exception to the other markets in the borough, in that it lacks facilities which are enjoyed by the other markets.
“There is a real prospect that the hot food trade is likely to decline in the area in the foreseeable future.”
Appealing to the committee to go easy on the market, Dominique AE Manceur, who sells galettes and crepes, said: “They say it’s to bring into line all the markets but we don’t have anything in common with the other markets. It’s not been refurbished like Whitecross Street. We should have some water, electricity and storage.
“I feel let down by the infrastructure. I believe it’s a great place with great potential.”
Vegan Keenwah salad trader Lee Lincoln said: “The Guardian building is closing and that’s 4,000 people going. Soon there’s not going to be any customers to sustain it.”
Street Trading manager Dave Fordham said the council had been subsidising the markets for some time and that an increase was overdue.
Mr Fordham said restaurants had complained about the subsidies for hot-food stalls in direct competition with them.
But he admitted Exmouth had not benefited from investment in recent years.
Speaking after the council decided to limit the rent increase, Mr Lincoln said: “I’m really happy. Hopefully now Exmouth will improve. It’s nice they actually listened to us because so many councillors we’ve spoken to in the past have not.” |
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