Great Yarmouth market traders to discuss future with council

It is understood the 'two-day' traders at Great Yarmouth Market will meet with Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) on Monday, July 20 to talk about their future trade at the market.

The six-month free-rent period for the traders is set to end next Wednesday, whereupon traders will have to pay the council to pitch up.

The trading space for Great Yarmouth's 'two-day' traders on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays (Image: Nelson Walker)

Martin Kirby, one of only two traders set up on Wednesday, said: "There are just two of us here. The others have given up.

"We will have to lose one table because we can't pay the rent. If it doesn't work out we will have to do car boots.

"My total takings on a Saturday recently was £27. Survival is going to be hard and we don't think there is going to be much of a future."

Martin Kirby, a 'two-day trader', runs a DVD and toy stall at Great Yarmouth Market (Image: Nelson Walker)

Martin Kirby is one of the 'two-day' traders at Great Yarmouth Market (Image: Nelson Walker)

The traders have been trading by the car park since the end of January after being told to move from the piazza end of the marketplace.

They have recently raised concerns about vehicles sometimes parking overnight in their designated trading area for Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the lack of advertising promoting the market.

Some traders have also reported receiving communication from the council informing them that they must notify the market manager 24 hours in advance if they wish to trade by the car park on a market day.

Two 'two-day' traders set up by Great Yarmouth Market on Wednesday (Image: Nelson Walker)

This newspaper has approached GYBC for comment.

In its last statement, it said: "The council is working hard to support the two-day market and will do its utmost to ensure it is a success for traders.

"New signage is being installed to promote the market and parking bay markings are being removed in part of the car park at the northern end of the Market Place to ensure it remains a dedicated space for the two-day market.

Two 'two-day' traders set up by Great Yarmouth Market on Wednesday (Image: Nelson Walker)

Martin Kirby's DVD and toy stall by Great Yarmouth Market (Image: Nelson Walker)

"We understand traders’ frustration, but the move to the southern end of the market was only ever meant to be temporary while the works were taking place. The two-day market was traditionally always on the car park, which was completely closed while it traded.

"We continue to liaise closely with traders and want to ensure the two-day market can thrive."