'Council is trying to coerce us'

TRADERS SAY WORK AT VICTORIA MARKET AIMS TO PUT OFF SHOPPERS

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

THE last traders left at a once-thriving Nottingham market say the city council is trying to “hinder” them by removing signs and restricting access.

Workers have been seen scraping off signs advertising the Victoria Centre Market, and the council is reportedly looking at frosting its glass frontage.

A public entrance is being turned into a fire exit and the lights will allegedly be switched off around all unoccupied units.

One remaining trader says Nottingham City Council is trying to “coerce” him into leaving.

M&S is rumoured to be interested in the site.

Negotiations have been taking place between the council and traders left at Victoria Centre Market, but Tick King owner David Bowey has told his solicitor to withdraw from that process for now as he says the authority is acting in “bad faith”.

The council says its actions at the market are part of its “standard operational procedure”.