Council to investigate market traders' rights

A Cambridge market stallholder has welcomed news that the city council is considering writing a document that will enshrine traders’ rights.

Glenys Self, spokesperson for the Friends of Cambridge Market, has published the letter asking the council to create a customs and practice document, which will detail the way the market is run now.

And Rosy Moore, councillor for the market ward, has confirmed the council is taking legal advice about whether they should go ahead with the work.

Ms Self said: “A customs and practice document would remove any question marks and vulnerability for that sector of commerce within the city centre. The value of the market square is social as well as commercial, and that needs underpinning with foundations of certainty so that we are not left in a no man's land.”

She added that traders would feel ‘reassured’ if they knew their rights and said: “I’ve had a very positive discussion with councillors and I welcome them looking into this issue.”

Custom and practice is a common law legal term describing one of the ways that terms may become implied into a contract.

Councillor Rosy Moore said: “We are currently seeking legal advice on what the current position is. It’s very important to us that we have good relations with our traders. The main purpose of this project is to ensure the success of the market in the future and without good relations with the traders we can't have a successful market so we are seeking legal advice on this to see what the position is currently and then we know that we will be able to look at where we go from there. It might be that we need to do some work or it might be that they have certain rights that everyone agrees with.

"We had a workshop with the traders last week about the market square and I think people’s priorities are pretty much the same - we all want to make it more pedestrian friendly, and improve the flooring and seating. So there was lots of common ground."

Other points raised on the open letter included the traders’ desire to keep permanent stalls on the market, rather than temporary alternatives.

The letter says: “ I fear that we will lose a lot of the traders as they have said they won’t cope with putting up flimsy temporary stalls. They also say that they know of other markets that are frequently closed in windy weather because the stalls can’t withstand the windy conditions and render the stalls a liability,” adding, “This point could perish the businesses.”

The council’s market square redevelopment feasibility study had pinpointed the fixed stalls as a hindrance to using the square for night time activities or other sues, such as for public events and entertainment.

Cllr Moore said: “To come up with the best design for the square we need to look at all possible options, but so far nothing has been decided. We are going to engage the services of a market expert.”