We're intent on reviving market (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

We're intent on reviving market

Trader Chas Graham said many stallholders are going out of business Ref: 99220-63SUPPORT us or lose us that's the message traders in the Swindon's tented market are sending out to its owners.

Traders claim many of the stalls inside the market known as The Big Top are empty because high business rates and rent mean small businesses can't afford them.

They want to secure the future of the market and prevent it from being closed down.

Chas Graham, owner of Refresh Records, said: "The situation is just getting worse.

"Retail everywhere is down and everyone is feeling it. When you look around the town you can see a lot of businesses have gone.

"We've had meetings with the owners of the market and they tell us they are 100 per cent behind us so we'll have to wait and see."

But Mr Graham is not sure whether he'll still be trading in a year's time.

"I'll definitely be having a long think in January about whether I want to carry on or if I want to move somewhere else."

The traders claim that unless Swindon Space Management, which owns the market, do something to stop stallholders being forced to leave, the tented market will not be able to survive much longer.

Chester Middleton, who runs Middleton Fruit and Veg at Blunsdon Market, has just set up a stall in The Big Top.

"You'd think they would give people a discount to get them in here," he said.

"I have a job making a £160-a-week and I work seven days a week between stalls.

"With the rent that is charged on the units and all the extras, it is nearly impossible for anyone to make a profit."

His mother, Anne Middleton who also works on the stall said: "Swindon used to be such a lovely place with lots of small independent businesses around.

"The town used to have a lot of small, independent businesses but where are they now? They've been pushed out by the high prices.

"It's nice in the market as everyone is so friendly and has time for you.

"It is a good thing for the town and it would be a real shame for people to forget about it."

Nigel Knight, area manager for Swindon Space Management, said: "Any suggestion that the market will be closed down is absolutely not true.

"It is our job to make it thrive and attract new traders to the market."

But he agrees that the traders are struggling.

"The traders are having a very tough time and we are well aware of that.

"The rent has been significantly discounted over the last two years to reflect this, but it may be that we have to take extra steps.

"The traders sometimes forget that we are on their side their wealth is our wealth."

He added that retail sales are down all over the country.

Stephanie Tye