Loss of Masham cash machine will hit trade, say market traders

Masham stallholders have raised concerns about losing one of the town’s cash machines saying it will have a “big” impact on trade.

The town currently has two cash points one at the bus stop on Market Place and the other in the Co-Op. However the company which operates the machine on Market Place says it is underused and may be removed.

Traders have said the Wednesday market in particular would suffer if it was lost and added that the mid-week market is largely attended by elderly locals who prefer to use cash.

They are concerned if customers are forced to go to the Co-Op for cash they will do their shopping at the store for ease.

Even stallholders who have card machines said a lot of customers still prefer to use cash.

One trader, Val Cocker, who has a card stall on both Wednesday and Saturday in Masham, said it will have an impact on trade. She said:

“It will have a big impact, I think in general the locals will feel it most. Masham market has had a bit of a revival in recent years and soon people may not bother if they can’t get cash.”

Another stallholder, Mark Foster, said:

“It’s often difficult to get cash in Masham because sometimes both machines are empty. I’d much rather be taking cash because it cash in hand straight away rather than waiting for card payments to go through. It’d be a real shame to lose it.”

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The cash machine provider, NoteMachine, currently pays £5,000 in rent to Masham Parish Council. Councillors have offered the company a rent reduction in hopes of maintaining this community service and are awaiting a reply.

In the minutes of the most recent council meeting councillors said the machine is often without cash and questioned if this was a ploy to give grounds to remove it.

They added the clerk had approached other companies last year to take on the service but none had offered an alternative.

The Stray Ferret approached NoteMachine for comment, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Increase in day trippers means good business for Masham

The car park at Masham was full yesterday as the town saw an increase in walkers and day trippers as people were allowed to travel afield for a day out.

Market stall holders said business picked up this week and they are expecting it to get much busier still after April 12th when camp sites and caravan parks can re-open.

Masham’s car park filled up

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Raymond Worsdale who runs a food stall told the Stray Ferret:

“It’s been very busy today -we’ve done alright. People are starting to get going after their injections.”

Alison Hope who owns No12 Greengrocer said the support from local people has been fantastic and trade was starting to pick up:

“We’re looking forward to having more stalls after the 12th April. It’s Easter weekend and people are feeling a bit more confident to come out. We have been really lucky”

The Sunday Times recently included the market town in its annual Best Places to Live guide.

Masham was one of nine runners-up behind Ilkley in the north-east of England category. No other town or city in the Harrogate district was selected.