Stall holders pack up in strike protest

Tommyfield Market traders will strike on Saturday in protest at their treatment after the new street market launch.

Stall holders who remain behind the market hall on the original outdoor site say they are being ignored by the council.

A spokesman said 95 per cent of the outdoor traders, or 40 stalls, would not trade on Saturday.

He added: “We always get the back end of the deal.

“No-one listens to us. Our stalls are broken and not repaired. We believe the council is going to knock the outdoor market down and turn it into a car park to get extra parking for the new NHS centre.

“The majority of us won’t be here on Saturday including fabrics, jewellery, underwear, suit cases and bags stalls.

“Trade hasn’t gone up or down for us, it’s just the same, but our rents have gone up.

“We pay £20 per stall on Saturdays but we don’t get any concessions for extra stalls, they charge full rent.

“We want to stay here and we want a report and consultation.”

Oldham Council opened its new on-street market in Albion Street and Curzon Street with gazebo-style stalls in August.

When the council held talks with traders in July last year, they were told that the area behind the market hall would be repackaged as a specialised shopping area. They were told there was potential for farmer’s markets, specialised Asian markets and flea and antique stalls.

But outdoor traders petitioned the council in August asking for a change of heart over the gazebos and calling for the fixed stalls to stay.

The gazebos are put up and taken down every Friday and Saturday, catering for up to 51 stalls.

No more than two stalls, which all have light and power, sell the same products.

The area behind the market hall is now earmarked for a specialist market with removable stalls.