Traders talk about the problems they face

By [lchurchill]

THE Journal talked to Bideford Pannier Market traders about what hurdles they face through the economic downturn. Here were their responses:

● As part of Asda's planning permission, £85,000 was provided for a five-year bus service between the store and the town.

The buses were expected to go past the pannier market and the High Street, but instead they go straight to the Quay.

Devon County Council said there was insufficient road space for a bus to operate via the market. However, the traders argue large delivery vehicles often managed to get there.

● Fliers advertising the pannier market were distributed on a Saturday. According to traders, they have now been told by Bideford Town Council it can no longer pay for the people to hand out them out. because of Health and Safety reasons.

The council still pays for the printing, but the traders are having to fork out wages to get them distributed.

Another trader said the pannier market was generally advertised and marketed poorly.

● Bideford Town Council has now banned dogs from the market. Trader Carole McKenzie argues many of their regular costumers are having to wait outside with their animals and are not taking their time browsing as they did before the ban.

They also argue there are not enough food stalls in the market to warrant the new rules.

● Trader Mike Avis said the biggest problem was the lack of transport links and getting people up the long steep hill and into the market.

He said there used to be a bus, paid for by the town council and traders, transporting customers from the Quay. However, it was scrapped after concerns it was being abused by people riding on it and not shopping in the market.

● Lack of parking for customers was also raised as a problem.

● Traditional market producers go to farmer's markets, such as the one organised by Torridge District Council on the town's more accessible Quay. Another suggestion from Carole was the farmer's market and the pannier market having joint ventures.

● Traders said Bideford Town Council had recently turned off the heating making the market cold.

● The Journal put the problems quoted by the traders to Bideford Town Council's clerk, George McLaughlan and town mayor, Andy Powell. Mr McLaughlan did not wish to comment and Cllr Powell did not respond.