Market rent hike to close businesses, report warns

COUNCIL chiefs look set to press ahead with major hikes in the rents for businesses at Bristol's famous St Nicholas Market, despite a major campaign against the plans, and the council's own report warning it could put some of the traders out of business.

- TRISTAN CORK

A petition has been signed by thousands of people who visit the famous city centre market and street food venue, but council officers are recommending their idea to hike the rents to meet tough new revenue targets goes ahead.

Councillors meet on Monday to decide what to do about the future of St Nick's Market.

A report by City Hall officers to the council’s economy and skills committee outlines how councillors set them a target last December of finding a way to get £150,000 a year more in rents from the traders there, and up to £265,000 within five years.

A first option to make everyone pay a percentage fee on all their sales was roundly rejected by the traders at the start of this year, so council officers returned with a second suggestion.