Nantwich Town Council says it will “discuss alternative delivery methods” with organisers of external markets it plans to withdraw from.
It says the decision to withdraw from around 12 externally organised Artisan and Antique Fair markets was taken because of difficulties attracting staff and wellbeing on existing workers.
But it has sparked a backlash from residents and shoppers claiming it’s the wrong decision.
In a statement issued today, a town council spokesperson said: “The Town Council would like to clarify it position and reasons for the difficult decision.
“The Town Council would like to confirm that its own markets will continue to run which include the indoor and outdoor markets which operate every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, the 12 farmers markets per year which will incorporate our Spring, Summer and Autumn markets, the Food Festival artisan market, and the Christmas market.
“The markets which will be affected are the Artisan Market and Antiques Fair which are organised externally.
“The Town Council are currently discussing alternative delivery methods with the organisers.
“The decision to withdraw support for these markets is due to the increasing difficulties in attracting casual staff to erect and dismantle the market stalls, and the impact on existing staff and their health and safety in attempting to cover the staff shortage.
“The Town Council recognises the importance of supporting the town’s vibrancy and the benefits that markets and events bring to the town and its traders.
“By introducing children’s summer activities on the square and live entertainment along with our existing markets there will be a balance of activities for all ages and interests.
“The introduction of these events will not require the staffing levels that are needed when erecting market stalls and will offer activities for our younger generations during the long summer break.”
Pointless to argue just increase the price you cannot expect a substantial discount just because you are popular put your hand in your pocket and pay the market rent or find another venue yourself
As a regular and long standing stall holder I am absolutely appalled at the Council’s decision to end the Antiques Market. Some stall holders and customers travel miles to support what has become a busy and vibrant event that holds huge appeal and most definitely adds to the charm of the town.
I am also taken aback by the complete lack of consultation, making this a Machiavellian manoeuvre crushing small businesses and market traders who offer unique and individual buying choices to customers. Sadly this is a slippery slope towards a town centre overrun with bland, corporate big boys – Costa and Starbucks to name a couple – so creating characterless, charmless towns that no-one wishes to visit. Don’t Kill the Magic!!
Nick, this is nothing to do with CEC, it’s a decision made by NTC. Who are unpaid, elected volunteers. Doing their best for Nantwich, on a small precept.
Get your facts right
Cancelling of the Nantwich Town Square Antique and Artisan Markets.
If you are not happy with the decison these councillors have made, as public servants you have every right to contact them and express your views if you wish to.
You can find their contact details here
https://www.nantwichtowncouncil.gov.uk/councillors/
You may want to ask them these simple questions:
1) If the council is finding it so difficult to find staff to set up the gazebos – how come all the council run events using the exact same gazebos (and presumably the same staff) on the same days are still running and have not been cancelled.
2) Why was there no consultation with existing organisers to come up with a solution. The organisers just got an email saying the events were cancelled and that was it and the decision was final. That is quite a bullying tactic and unprofessional just getting rid of somebody like that. Not even a phone call. No opportunity to try and work something out. Remember these antique markets are successful events. Have any councillors actually been to these markets ?
Is this how other organisations looking to partner with the council in the future are going to be treated. One of these fair organisers had been running events in conjunction with the council for nearly 20 years !
This talk of the council saying they are in talks with the organisers now is only because there has been a backlash by the public. It is just damage limitation PR speak. People want to see actions not PR waffle.
The article in the Nantwich news on Monday said 10 events (that brought the public and money into the heart of the town) had been cancelled to save the council £1700 over 1 year.
That could have been paid simply by putting up the stall rents by £4.47.
The fact they trumpeted this saving as a big deal. Has anyone any idea how bad and cheap that makes the council look ? I am sure much bigger losses could be found in other areas of the council expenditure, maybe someone should shine a light on that and do a comparison.
These antique markets in the town square are very successful, well established and attended and promoted extensively online. Does anyone know how difficult it is to start a new event and maintain it. It’s not easy.
The trick is to get it established and keep it going. Lots of new events crash and burn and cost money.
Bad things happen when good people stand by and do nothing. The councillors should reconsider their decision and reinstate them. These markets don’t happen till May, why on earth did a decision with zero consultation with the public or the fair organisers have to be made in October. If the council can’t recruit people to put up gazebos in 6 months – what can they do ?
I find it really difficult to see how any of this can be justified. It just makes the council look unprofessional and incredibly short sighted. A climbing wall and childrens sports in the town square is not going to replace a vibrant market. I can see the memes on social media already.
We are setting up a webpage to feature all the support to keep the Nantwich Town Square Antique markets open.
Check out http://www.savenantwichantiquesmarket.co.uk. It should be up by the end of today.
What a shocking decision. There are enough empty shop’s in the town, taking customer’s away won’t help plus these markets are what Nantwich is about.
Please see sense
Steve
Shit show from the council again. CEC must be up there as the worst in the country. They cannot make a decent decision that suits the public needs