O/T Meat and Fish Market

This confused me...
"“We don’t understand why they are being used, apparently without it being put out to tender. Surely that would be the best way to ensure value for the taxpayer?” he said.

Surely it would be the 'legal' way not just the best way. Is it actually legal for a council to award contracts without putting them out to tender? Awarding contracts behind closed doors leaves the process open to accusations of cronyism, or, even worse, corruption. Not saying this is the case but it sounds very suspicious, particularly, if it is true as stated that the company concerned has no track record in this field. The selection process therefore lack transparency and if I were a rate payer I would be asking questions of the council as to the vetting methodology.

 

If that’s the case (which I doubt) then at least they must be learning something from this Govt.

 

Even independent shops looking at going into the new glassworks are priced out of thinking about it. I look at the old Chesterfield Market Hall and the market area around it and that is really good. Something like that would have been excellent in Barnsley.

 

Huddersfield is exactly the same. The main streets are full of charity shops, poundlands and greggs. People don't want to pay to park anymore when there are numerous retail parks within an easy commute - Birstall, J32, white rose, meadowhall, cortonwood etc.

Councils should be focusing on their assets that arent in direct competition with these parks such as the fresh food markets and charging minimal or no fees to park to ensure the town centres remain open.

In this day and age of internet shopping etc. I can't see the town centres functioning as they are now for much longer unless radical changes are made.

 

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...rochdaless-town-centre-business-rates-4314477

Something else that needs looking at , business rates . It appears the smaller the retailer , the more they pay . Partly the reason why town centres are snided with charity shops ( no rates to pay ) though I believe councils are starting to charge .

 

Don't get me wrong I appreciate that councils are under a huge amount of pressure to draw income in this day and age of cuts, but I think it is a little short sighted and fear for the futures of town high streets. The big cities such as Manchester, York, Leeds will manage fine.

 

When they opened moor market in Sheffield it was rammed as they did incentives for stall holders.

Soon as this period finished then stalls started folding.

There’s only half the meat stalls left and multiple units emptied...

 

Surprised by that. I went to uni first time around in York and used to work on Coney Street. Didn't realise it was struggling. It's rare I go back but always enjoy it when I do.

 

Too pissed to post the full story tonight, but will tomorrow as I had a long conservation about this with my friend this evening. Sorry if I it came across that I was doubting you Gordon, not my intention, I know you were passing on what you heard. But it's complete ********, it really is, as all these stories are.

 

I can honestly say, I’ve never bought a sausage (or a Kipper) from Barnsley Markets. Only time I’ve been in that area, was to take a short cut to W H Smiiths. Could almost say the same about the other side, but remember as a kid, buying MOD & punk badges from a stall at the bottom of an elevator. I’ve also had a couple leather jackets from a stall on the market. But again that was over 35 years ago. Barnsley Markets have no appeal to me what so ever. it reminds me of a large, indoor car boot sale.

 

My mate said...

Yes the rent has gone up, although he couldn't confirm or deny the figures quoted. However...

Each market trader was paid a significant one off sum as compensation for the disruption during the development period. They have also been trading rent free for this entire time. The idea of this was to offset the rent increase in the new location, befitting of the improved facilities, for the length of the contract they were asked to sign up for. You save the money from the compensation pay-out and rent free time period to pay for the rent increase and the new facilities hopefully attract more customers so more money can be made. Also, traders used to pay rent and a service charge. However, they now just pay for the electricity they use, the service charge being scrapped. Business rates will have to be paid for each stall but these won't apply to the majority of small businesses.

 

Seems fair to me.

 

Barnsley councils own website fir applying to become a market trader in the new market hall states a service charge of £13 per square foot on top of a rent of £31 per square foot.


With regards the free rent it just seems like a huge **** up.why hand over compensation and give away free rent only to then hike the prices up? Would have been better off paying compensation weekly, no rent reduction and using the saving to offset the price rise. Giving people money up front and just hoping they will save it all and put it towards what you want it plain daft.

 

It doesn't matter what you do people will complain. It wasn't 'plain daft'. By charging everyone the same rent in the new facility, both new and old traders, you reduce any animosity created by having a discrepancy in pricing.

Many traders were very happy with the pay-off. They used the money to retire.

Anyway, it wasn't my policy and I'm not particularly defending it, just passing on what I was told by someone who knows. It seems very reasonable to me, certainly not daft, and gives both sides to the story rather than, as has been the norm with these stories right from the offset of the new market development, only one side.

 

I know two greengrocers who’ve been told they’ve got to work 6 days of the week including Sunday’s, so they’re basically having their rent increased by 4 times for one extra day which they don’t want to do as town’s dead on Sunday’s anyway.

It’s horrible how they’re been treat

 

So say the stalls are 30 square foot.
Thats 1200 a month before lecky wages and stocking the stalls.
Need to shift a hell of a lot of porkpies to cover the running costs.

The food court baffles me as well. Diversify it?
What with?

More greasy spoons? Kebab shops? Chicken huts?

I suspect that someone at barnsley council has seen the food courts above covent garden and got giddy.

 

Thaz never lived! Best meat and fish in town! Fruit and veg fresh and cheap! And if tha goes int indoor bit, tha can buy massive pants for thi missus! Barnsley Bargains!!

 

Take it you don't eat Fish or seafood. Struggle to think of anywhere else in Bransley where you can get decent fish and seafood (Morrisons is bang average) Last time I was in Barnsley we got some proper Barnsley chops from Barkers and they were excellent. Not sure about the rest of the market but for eggs cheese meat (cooked and raw) and fish we always used to use the market rather than the supermarkets.

 

You are correct. Only fish I have is either from chippy or in fingers coated in breadcrumbs. Don’t like owt with a shell either. Dislike Morrissons and any supermarket meat. Usually buy from village butcher, or in last few years, farm shops.