Fears for future of indoor market
MAESTEG’S historic indoor market is losing stalls because trade “has taken a nosedive”.
That’s according to traders who claim large numbers of people have stopped shopping there since Bridgend council announced a controversial redevelopment plan.
The authority is proposing a multimillion-pound “new vision” for Maesteg Town Hall, which houses the 135-year-old market in its basement.
It would see the creation of what it has termed a “cultural hub” and the closure of the indoor market to make way for the town’s two libraries.
Traders have fought the proposal, but now fear the loss of the indoor market is inevitable.
“It has killed the market,” said Marcelle Humphreys, chairwoman of the market traders’ association, who is also standing as an independent candidate under the umbrella of the Change for Bridgend group in the county council election.
“The footfall through here is unbelieveable. I don’t think there’s any hope of saving the market now.”
She said it is no longer economical ly viable for some stalls to stay open so they are either closing their businesses or moving away from Maesteg.
Others are planning to move into the outdoor portion of the market around the square, but only if they secure rent reductions from the council as the units are more expensive than the stalls.
Marcelle, who runs the Sew & Sew stall, said that just a couple of months ago there were 12 businesses in the indoor market, but soon there could be just four: Carmarthenshire Meats, Sew & Sew, Maesteg Animal Welfare Society and Cwtchi Mamas cafe.
The All Kinds of Everything stall has moved to Pontypool Market, LG Trading has closed and the pet stall, which has been run by the Walton family for more than a decade, will close at the end of the month due to falling trade.
Junior Stitch in Time has already moved into and reopened the wool shop in the outdoor market.
Andy Robertson also said he is closing his hardware stall after four years because he can no longer make enough money.
“My trade has just taken a nosedive as soon as they came out with this plan,” he said. “I just can’t afford to keep it going.”
He now hopes to sell shabby chic furniture online.
But others must wait to find out if the rents on the outdoor units will be affordable before they can decide what their future will be.
“The issue is we have been in limbo for six months and that’s really hard for a business,” said Cheryl McDowell, 52, who runs Cwtchi Mama’s cafe in the indoor market. “We still don’t know what’s happening and that’s the hardest part.”
She said customers have reacted with “absolute anger” to the council’s plans, but she fears it’s a done deal.
“I hope to see a future outside and my customers and staff hope to see a future outside,” she said.
Cheryl is hoping to take over Maggie May’s cafe in the market square if she can get a rent reduction. Current owner David Evans is closing the business because he said it is no longer viable.
But Cheryl added rents are not the only issue as traders have been alarmed by rumours that the bus station, which is next to the market, might have to be relocated to the town’s car park while the work takes place, potentially taking away further trade and parking spaces used by shoppers.
A spokesman for Bridgend County Borough Council said: “We have been working with a number of indoor market traders regarding options for relocating their businesses as part of the redevelopment plan. The stallholders receive a weekly update on the proposals. They have been provided with written details about time scales and what the next steps will be, and a vacant unit at the outdoor market is also being used to keep both traders and members of the public informed.
“The rumours concerning issues such as the bus station and available car parking are unfounded. The council and Awen are currently seeking appropriate funding to enable them to develop Maesteg Town Hall and safeguard its future, and the process is not yet at the stage where development options need to be identified.”