Trestle market debate continues at town council meeting

Plans to refurbish Leek’s trestle market with permanent new stalls caused more controversy last week.

The trestle market has been the focus of debate and controversy for several months as Leek Town Council has requested the building be made available for events when not in use for market days.

However, the district council said new permanent stalls could be built which will not allow the premises to be used for any other events.

At last week’s meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s service delivery overview and scrutiny panel, Councillor Keith Hoptroff said that there had been public backlash over the district council spending money on fees for consultants.

In a written question, Mr Hoptroff said: “There has been a lot of public backlash at the allocation of £22,500 on fees for the Leek Trestle Market consultation. It is perceived that the cabinet have already made their decision, so any opposition to their plan that comes out of the consultation will be disregarded anyway.”

A written response stated: “Proposals to refurbish Leek Market Hall were discussed at the service delivery and overview panel meeting on 29th January 2020 where members highlighted the importance of consultation with members and traders.

“Some members of the Panel felt that a wider consultation of the proposals for the market should take place and suggested that a full public meeting should be held. In July 2020, the decision report to undertake a feasibility study and business case to explore options for Leek Market Hall was subject to a call in request where it was noted that ‘A key aspect of the feasibility study is the commitment to a full consultation’ and that ‘the debate on the Trestle Market in the council chamber earlier this year was a full one which was well attended and many present continually emphasised the importance of a consultation as wide as possible.’

“In response to this, a specification was issued to appoint consultancy services for the preparation of a feasibility study and business case to explore possible enhancement and investment to Leek Market Hall to provide improved retail facilities and trader opportunities.

“Seven tenders were received and assessed.

“Quarterbridge Project Management were awarded the contract, having the best technical competence score and best commercial (Vfm) score. The submitted costs from the six other tenders ranged 102 per cent to 159 per cent of Quarterbridge’s submission.

“The specification also requested that widespread consultation was undertaken to inform the feasibility study and business case report. Stakeholder consultation has been conducted with district councillors, Leek East Ward councillors, Leek Town councillors, Archer Fairs (licensed antique market operator), stallholders and Leek’s business community. A final report is expected in April.”

Speaking at the meeting council leader, Sybil Ralphs, said: “We are going to have a feasibility study.

“This issue has been going on for four or five years. In 2016 the idea was put forward, but entertainment was never raised.

“We have spent £159,000 on making it water tight. We are going to call it Leek Market Hall.

“I do hold your colleagues responsible as you triggered it. Consultants are not cheap. You wanted it as a dual purpose market hall.

“We could have used this money on giving rebates to traders.”

In a statement to the Post & Times this week, Councillor Hoptroff, said: “Once again the leader shows her opposition to any scrutiny of the cabinets aspirations after saying that my questions about the consultation over the Trestle Market were “Futile” and tried to shut me down before I asked them in full.

“These were questions that members of the public have been asking and I was duty bound to ask them as an elected member.”