Scaffolding blow to Bridgnorth business at market
Market traders with pitches under a town hall say their takings have plummeted since it became covered in scaffolding for renovation work.
Now they are calling for Bridgnorth Town Council to scrap a proposed increase in their rates to compensate for the money they have lost.
The town hall has been clad in scaffolding since August as part of a £46,000 renovation project.
Traders are suffering because shoppers do not want to walk under it, Bridgnorth Town Council heard this week.
The town council, as the market authority, had previously agreed in principle to raise the rents by 25 per cent in February.
But that resolution could still be overturned if eight councillors ask for it to be rescinded.
Councillor Ray Gill, speaking during Tuesday's meeting, said: "It was unforeseeable the scaffolding would be up for so long but we need to look whether we should be increasing the rates.
"I would like to set in motion the process of looking at this decision again.
"It's important we build on the strength of the relationships that were built during that previous meeting. I am very happy to be part of a committee that meets regularly with town hall market traders."
Councillors heard that during a market meeting last month traders had suggested the rise was unjust because of the effect the scaffolding had on trade and the impact the nearby Aldi store had had since opening in 2012.
Town clerk Anne Wilson agreed to take traders' concerns back to full council, and suggested a relaunch of the Friday market once the scaffolding had been removed.
