Dudley Market row: Thousands sign petition backing traders' pleas for the future
THOUSANDS of people have backed market traders fighting against changes to their contracts, which they say could put them out of business.
People who operate from the outdoor market on Dudley High Street fear they will lose their holiday cover and chronic illness cover when the new working terms and conditions drawn up by Dudley Council come into force on July 1.
Nearly 4,500 people have signed a petition against the new two-year contracts, which traders say could kill the market.
Chosen
The contract, or tender, is changed every two years when a firm is chosen to run the management of the stalls.
Following a protest last week, traders are planning to hand in the petition to council leader, Councillor Pete Lowe.
Wayne Thomas, who runs a vaping stall on the market, said the new contract could put traders out of business.
He said: “The response has been really good. We are hoping to reach over 5,000 signatures by the time we hand it in next week.
“The petition is to see if we can get the tender withdrawn and we hope to re-negotiate it. Our problem is our rights are involved. The market has been going for over 100 years.”
The council began the process of hearing bids to run the market on March 22, and a firm is still yet to be decided.
Roy Eaton, whose family has traded on the market since the 1960s, said: “Unfortunately, Dudley Council refused to meet with market traders to consult over the terms and conditions that would be included in the tender. It now appears that the rules and regulations under which all permanent market traders have signed up too, have been completely omitted from the tender document.
“These rules and regulations have been in force for many decades and are the product of years of negotiation between Dudley Council and the market traders representatives.” Stuart Connelly, head of visitor economy and cultural services at the authority, said its aim was to ‘ensure the right management team was in place to ‘create a buzzing, thriving market in the town centre for years to come’.
He added: “The contract to run the market is out to tender.
“Dudley Market Traders Ltd, which currently runs the market, will be given the opportunity to bid.
“If successful, the company would have the right to impose its own terms and conditions.
“Equally, if a different company is successful in winning the tender, it should also be able to do the same.”
