Market could stay open for years, claim traders

DESPITE BEING EARMARKED FOR CLOSURE IT’S BUSIER THAN EVER

- By OLIVER PRIDMORE

A NOTTINGHAM market which the city council tried to close over a month ago could remain open for years as one trader says his business is “busier than ever”.

The Victoria Centre Market boasted more than 300 traders across two floors when it first opened in 1972 and following years of closure attempts and legal disputes with Nottingham City Council, that number now sits at just six.

But those remaining say they are “resolute” that the city council cannot evict them from the market without offering reasonable compensation. The council itself has claimed the compensation sought by some traders is “completely unjustified”, yet one business owner says he would have to sell his house if he accepted the council's current offer.

Although Nottingham City Council said March 31 was the Victoria Centre Market's last day of operation, the legal dispute means traders say it could actually stay open for at least two years if the council does nothing to end the deadlock. Rumours were recently swirling that M&S are interested in taking on the space now occupied by the market - something neither M&S nor the city council have denied.

David Bowey took over the Tick King store in the market around 10 years ago, but the business itself has been based at the market since it opened in 1972. Mr Bowey said: “I can’t tell you how resolute I am.

“I should be impacted more now than ever because it is getting worse and worse in the market. But we're doing absolutely fine.”