Discussions set on future of market

THE PRIVATISATION of Hinckley market is due to be discussed by councillors again this week.

The matter was subject of debate and controversy when the Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council’s executive approved a timescale for the procurement process at a meeting on June 29.

Lib Dem opposition leader Councillor Stuart Bray asked for the issue to be called in for further discussion and on July 14 scrutiny committee members requested the report be reviewed at their next meeting.

The committee will look at the proposals tomorrow.

Prior to the meeting, scrutiny members have requested further information be made available, including details of other councils which outsourced their markets, the rationale for the council considering this approach and timescales around making a final decision.

Verbal updates will be received on these items while a market traders’ representative has also been invited along to offer opinion.

The authority’s executive agreed to start the process for potentially offloading the 700-yearold market on the premise it would offer more to both retailers and shoppers.

As well as inviting tenders from private companies, the council intends to submit a proposal itself and insists a final decision on outsourcing will only be made once bids had been considered against other options.

However, the mere mention of the market being turned over to a private operator has prompted an outcry among stallholders, with a snap survey suggesting the majority would be unhappy with the move and be likely to quit the town.