Action planned to boost market hall
ACCRINGTON Market Hall is set to make a £110,000 loss this year with bosses blaming ‘crippling’ business rates and cheap online rivals.
Hyndburn council said they are looking at ‘various ways’ to improve the market’s performance after previously posting a £200,000 deficit last year.
Council leader Miles Parkinson said the current business rates system is ‘financially crippling the high street’ but is a tax that ‘online retailers can avoid’.
Poundworld was the latest high street giant to close its Accrington store last month.
Coun Parkinson supported recent comments by local growth minister Jake Berry on the importance of free parking but urged the government to introduce a ‘fairer’ tax system.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, he said: “The major issue for whichever political party is in control is the town centre and the market hall.
“What we would ask is that the government does look at a fairer system for the high street.
“It’s unfair the costs that small businesses or even multi-chains are having to pay compared to someone who sets up in a shed or online.
“They will be constantly undercut and we all want a thriving town centre.
“It’s a plea to Jake Berry to lobby for a fair playing field.
“As a council we just want to be fair to everyone. It’s not about making a profit but making sure it’s sustainable.”
Coun Parkinson said free parking in Hyndburn costs the council around £90,000 every year.
He added: “Improving the health of our high streets is already a priority for us and we’re investing heavily to improve the high street offer, as the growth of online shopping has changed the way we all use high streets now.”
Coun Joyce Plummer, the new portfolio holder for resources, said the council is on track to achieve an overall £68,000 surplus for the financial year despite the ‘continuing trading problems’ in the market hall.
She told the cabinet meeting: “This reflects the continuing trading difficulties of the high street that the county continues to face since the recession and the growing impact of the changing nature of retail shopping in town centres.
“Regeneration and property services are looking into various ways it can improve its financial performance in this area and as recommendations and actions come forward this position may improve over the coming year.”