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11
Jun 2020
Ripon market traders argue for rent reductions
Ripon's non-essential market traders returned to their stalls today after months of lockdown. But some traders believe they have been poorly treated by Harrogate Borough Council.
Harrogate Borough Council, which is planning to increase the rent for each stall by up to 32.4%, has offered the traders no rent holidays or reductions as they get back up and running.
The stallholders argue that due to the inability to trade over lockdown rental reductions should now be offered as they ease back into trading.
Nick Farnsworth, who has been selling women's nightwear and underwear at Ripon for 25 years, said:
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- The council are offering discretionary grants to small businesses, including market traders and charities.
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One market trader, Andrew Sutcliffe, who also trades in Knaresborough, agreed with other traders that more support from the council is necessary. He told The Stray Ferret that other markets he works on are currently offering rent holidays and reductions as they adjust to trading at full capacity.
In the week beginning 1st June, other local authorities including Barnsley and Leeds allowed stall holders selling goods classed as non-essential, to trade however the council decided to delay reopening to this week.
Harrogate Borough Council responded to the traders' claims that they felt unsupported. They said:
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