Market fees to slightly increase in Devizes

Coronavirus has hampered markets across the country, resulting in a large number of traders struggling to find the same level of work as they had done previously.

The markets in Devizes, open on Thursdays and Saturdays, have been under the council’s control for nearly two years.

In comparison to the rest of the country, it has fared well.

Manager Mark Hill told the Gazette: “The food side has been allowed to stay open and done quite well throughout the pandemic.

"I think a lot of people feel safer outside shopping rather than inside and the older generation in Devizes have been used to supporting markets, and have continued to do so.

“The quality of some of the produce is key, and I think that personable element with the person who sourced it makes it more special than supermarkets.”

This week the town council’s recreation and properties committee decided by councillors to raise costs slightly to support the market as the nation emerges from lockdown.

“No increases to the licence fees for rents within the Shambles for nearly two years,” explained Cllr Giraud-Saunders.

The market sets up early Thursday morning

Now, a new a two-tier rental pitch system will be introduced.

For non-food traders, pitch rents will be held at the current charge.

But for all food traders, both prepared and non-prepared foods, rents will be pushed up by 10 per cent. As a result the current charge, £23.70, will be raised to £26.07.

For those traders hooked up to the council’s electricity supply, the fee for this will be increased from £2.40 per day to £3.00, to reflect the council’s own increase in costs.

In addition, vehicle parking charges in the Market Place will be increased from £6.72 to £7.20.

Mr Hill said: “It’s difficult for everyone, we’re a business as well and we’ve taken a hit. It’s only the food traders that will be going up, we’re trying to be as fair as we possibly can.

"It is just to show that we have to recoup some of the money back that we’ve lost as a business.

“The electricity has gone up has gone up by 60p and in winter with heaters and things we tend to lose money, and gain a little back in summer, so it is swings and roundabouts.”

He added: “We’ve got to future-proof markets. We have great plans for places like the Shambles which were put on the backburner due to Covid, so this helps protect the markets until we get there.”

The committee heard that, despite being closed most of March, April and May last year, the Hillworth Park cafe has been trading better than expected given the lockdown. Income for the first ten months of 2020/21 was £25,598, compared to £48,909 for the same period the year before.

Hillworth Park after its revamp

Cllr Giraud-Saunders said: “I think even though its been a pretty tough year for all of us, I’m surprised that the figures are as good as they are which I think is a pat on the back for the operators of the cafe.”

Town Clerk Simon Fisher added: “Last weekend was exceptionally busy, if the weather holds up a few more like that will help us get towards the end of the year.”