'They wouldn't let us grow' say traders at Victoria Market

TRADERS say chances to expand the Victoria Centre Market were not recognised by the city council.

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

The authority said on Monday that some traders have not been open to negotiations and that it cannot afford to subsidise unpaid rents.

However the traders have suggested the opposite, claiming various attempts to expand and generate more revenue over the years have not been recognised by the council.

"I just hope the traders that are left here get a satisfactory outcome," said Carole Lilley, who ran the Carole's underwear stall for 39 years until this week.

"Many people have spent a lot of money and time in this market - if it was properly advertised, we probably wouldn't be in this situation. When I first got here, I had to rush to pay for the tenancy because there was such a long waiting list".

Monday was set to be the market's last day of operation, but at least six traders are staying put, believing they cannot be lawfully evicted.

Carole has recently started posting videos on TikTok explaining the market's situation. She claims they have gained more than a million views and seen a rapid increase in customers including many who previously were unaware of the market.