Traders bemoan poor business

Traders say illegal trading from homes has robbed them of business. TRADERS at Mkushi's Itala market have bemoaned slow business at the trading centre and have blamed this on the increased illegal trading in residential areas.

The traders said this had resulted in poor profit margins because of difficulties in attracting potential buyers.

The traders also accused the council of failing to crack down on the growing number of illegal businesses in residential areas.

In random interviews, many traders at the market complained of poor business which had led to meagre profits and losses.

Roma Milk Bar proprietor Robert Lusuko said the mushrooming of makeshift shops within the residential areas had impacted negatively on the traders at Itala market.

Mr Lusuko noted that potential buyers were opting to buy from nearby makeshift shops dotted around residential areas as opposed to walking to the market.

He said the situation had affected their businesses at the market and that there was need for the council to redress the situation.

He added that business at the market buoyed only when farm workers were paid and trekked to the markets to buy their needs as opposed to ordinary days.

Mr Lusuko, who wondered why the council had allowed people to trade from their homes, said the local authority was losing out on revenue as those trading from home were not paying tax.

He appealed to the council to conduct inspections in ltala compound and correct the situation.