Save our market

Traders call on council to move ‘dying’ market back to top end of town centre Stalls have been in Lower High Street for 10 years but are struggling to survive

The market in the town centre could close for good if a request from traders to move back to the top end of the high street is refused.

Stallholders have asked Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to relocate their stands as they say they are struggling to earn a living in their current Lower High Street spot.

But council officers have advised them to improve the appearance of their stalls and promote the market on social media in order to increase profits.

The market - which sells products including clothes, CDs and fruit - has reduced to just five stalls over the years.

In 2008, it was forced to move from the top end of town despite strong objections from traders - shortly after the opening of the County Square extension.

At the time, Debenhams reportedly wanted the top of end of the town cleared of stalls to make the entrance to County Square more attractive.

But after the announcement that the department store giant will leave Ashford in 2020, stallholders are now demanding the council lets them return to the prominent part of the high street.

In a letter sent to council leader Gerry Clarkson, market spokesman Peter Rosson, of James Street, said moving the traders back makes sense.

“In light of the closure of Marks and Spencer and the forthcoming closure of Debenhams, may we put forward a request for the market to be returned to the top of the high street,” he said.

“Ashford is a market town and should have a proper regulated market to enhance the town centre.

“Stallholders are finding it difficult to earn a living due to poor trading conditions in the Lower High Street.

“We believe by returning to the town centre we will attract many new stallholders offering a variety of goods and services.

“T he ne w enlarged Designer Outlet due to open will prove an attraction and draw people away from the town centre.

“We are not saying we can replace M&S or Debenhams, but believe we can create enough interest for people to want to return to the town centre.”

In 2008, a petition containing 600 signatures called on councillors to keep the market at the top end of town, but bosses voted to move the stalls to the Lower High Street for a one-year trial period.

“Ten years ago Debenhams moved in and forced us to move out,” one stallholder, who did not want to be named, said.

“Ten years later, they are leaving so we want to move back.

“I have been doing markets for more than 40 years.

“We used to set our stalls up and everything used to sell - now we can barely make a living.”

Dave Kekewich, who makes a living selling hot dogs, says the market, which operates on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, is at risk of closing.

“My earnings have gone down £35,000 a year - it’s affecting our livelihoods,” he said.

“Ten years ago it used to be packed from top to bottom - now we are lucky if we have four or five stalls.

“The council has said we can’t move back because our stalls don’t look nice.

“If we were taking more money we could afford to improve our stalls.

“All we are trying to do is survive, it is hard everywhere. Eventually we are going to go bust and there won’t be a market.”

Manjit Singh, from Essex, has been selling clothes in markets around Ashford since 1987.

The 65-year-old had a pitch at the former cattle market in Elwick Road and Upper High Street, before moving to his current spot near McDonald’s.

“Things were a lot better up there,” he said.

“I’m older now - I just come here to occupy my mind and body and I can leave any time.”

Traders Dave Kekewich and Manjit Singh both want the market moved back to the top of the high street now that Debenhams is closing