Sellers say festive stalls are taking away trade
MARKET TRADERS’ ANGER AT ‘BROKEN PROMISES’
TRADERS in Newcastle city centre have claimed the council has gone back on its word that Christmas Market stallholders would not provide them with direct competition.
This year’s market is bigger than ever before, with stalls and rides on Northumberland Street, Blackett Street and the immediate area to Grey’s Monument.
But despite the market attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city, many traders say they don’t reap the benefits.
A number of business owners told us that they were told in a meeting with representatives from Newcastle City Council and market operator Mellors Group in September that there would be ‘no duplication’ with existing retailers.
Lisa Sample, 49, has run Matthew’s Cheese Shop in the Grainger Market for 25 years and is now facing festive competition from five stalls in the Christmas Market.
She said: “We are disappointed with the situation. One or two would have been OK but five – it feels like
I’ve been put on the floor and kicked in the teeth.
“We feel as though we should be OK but these stalls could easily be taking hundreds off us in the coming weeks.”
Her feelings were echoed by Julien Poulalion, owner of La Petite Creperie, which is closing its indoor premises at the end of the year to focus on pop-ups and events.
He said: “I’m not criticising the traders here because we all have to make a living. But we were told there would not be ‘any duplication’ on stalls.
“But what can we do about it? Last