Dudley Market not at risk, say council bosses
Council bosses have insisted Dudley Market is not under threat, as a campaign against changes to terms and conditions was ramped up.
Dudley Council bosses have insisted the authority is committed to investing in the historic town centre market, and said it wanted to quash speculation it could be about to shut.
Instead the authority said it is inviting offers from people to run it from July onwards.
However, campaigners have claimed that the new contract out to tender does not offer protection for holiday and sick cover and poses a threat to stallholders.
There are also fears from campaigners that new management would be able to increase rents.
Around 4,500 people have already signed a petition against the new contract and the changes included.
Former chairman of the Dudley Market Traders' Association, and now manager of the market, Len Lenihan, said: "The council are talking about protecting the market, but it doesn't really sound like it when they are letting a third party take over who could put the rents up.
"What the council are saying is not very convincing. I'm caught in the middle, but I'm hearing from traders, all with their own stories, and some of them are in tears because they may not be able to carry on."
Mr Lenihan has stressed the importance of maintaining the current terms and conditions regarding protection during periods of holiday and chronic illnesses, which had been previously agreed with the council.
Conservative Councillor Patrick Harley and UKIP MEP Bill Etheridge met with stallholders this week to offer their support.
Dudley Council's strategic director for place, Alan Lunt, said: "We can categorically state that we are not looking to close the market.
"We want to make it more attractive, bustling and vibrant for people who are visiting the town.
"We feel putting the contract out to tender will give us the best opportunity of doing that, and we look forward to a bright future for traders and shoppers alike."
The contract to run the market will start at the beginning of July.
Interested bidders have until April 19 to put their names forward, after which a decision will be made on who runs the market.
