The Chronicle

Christmas event could put me out of business

PLANS TO PUT A RIDE NEXT TO TRADER’S STALL MIGHT KILL REVENUE

- Local Democracy Reporter By DANIEL HOLLAND daniel.holland@trinitymir­ror.com @DanHolland­News

A NEWCASTLE street trader claims the city’s expanded Christmas markets have forced him to choose between moving from the spot where he has worked for decades or face going out of business.

Fruit and veg seller Albert Sayers fears he will face an “intolerabl­e” festive season, after discoverin­g that a fairground ride will be installed just yards from his long-standing Northumber­land Street stall.

The veteran trader, who has been embroiled in a feud with council bosses over this year’s bigger Christmas markets, believes his regular customers will be put off if his business is blocked by the children’s carousel and surroundin­g wooden market stalls.

Mr Sayers, who has traded in Newcastle for 60 years and at his current spot since 1981, says he will refuse Newcastle City Council’s offer to move slightly further up Northumber­land Street but fears a massive drop in revenue over the vital Christmas period.

He said: “This is an obstructio­n of my way of life. Nobody will see me, so nobody will visit my stall.

“It is totally unacceptab­le to the street trading community. The council has a duty of care to us, but this is ridiculous and totally out of order.

“They are treating us like second-class citizens. This could put me out of business. At a meeting on September 17, we were told that none of our traders would be moved because of the Christmas markets. Now they are putting this ride directly in front of me – so either I have to move, or I go out of business.

“I will be seeking legal advice on this. My Christmas takings are going to be cut by half at least, I am having to work under intolerabl­e conditions.

“If my regular customers don’t see my stall, they will think I’m not here. I depend on Christmas trade to get through January, February, and March. At this rate, I will have such a bad Christmas that I don’t think I will be able to survive.”

This year’s Christmas markets are doubling in size, with new operators Mellors Group extending the festive attraction­s all the way along Blackett Street and Northumber­land Street – a move that has proved unpopular with street traders and Grainger Market businesses. The markets, which open this weekend, also feature a 30m toboggan run and a ski lodge-themed bar.

A spokespers­on for Newcastle City Council said: “We have worked with street traders at every stage of our plans to ensure they were accommodat­ed at the heart of the Christmas market and feel part of this exciting new addition to the city, giving them every opportunit­y to benefit from the additional footfall this will bring. We have had extensive discussion­s with Mr Sayers, liaised closely with him so he is aware of the plans and we’ve been working to resolve the issues he raised. We’ve acknowledg­ed his request to trade from as many sides as possible and have accommodat­ed him in the most suitable location – just a couple of metres away from where he currently trades. Mellors has also removed a stall from the plans to allow for more space around his stall as requested and provided him with access to the market’s power supply.

“The Christmas market begins on Saturday and we very much want Mr Sayers and all traders to benefit. We are confident that this first year of a new approach to Christmas in Newcastle will be a great foundation to grow the offer and the mix over the following years and hope that all local traders will be part of it for many years to come.”

If my regular customers don’t see my stall, they will think I’m not here. I depend on Christmas trade

Albert Sayers

 ??  ?? Newcastle greengroce­r Albert Sayers at his stall in Northumber­land Street
Newcastle greengroce­r Albert Sayers at his stall in Northumber­land Street

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