The full extent of Lancaster City Council’s plans for Lancaster Market may be kept secret when they are discussed next week, hidden behind claims of commercial sensitivity – and denying the public and local press the full facts on what is being proposed.
Facing increasing losses, the Council’s Cabinet announced plans to close the market earlier this month (see news story), a proposal set to be discussed by full Council on 3rd March. It seems possible, however, that much of the debate will be held behind closed doors on the pretext that the plans are “commercially sensitive” – even though the proposals could, potentially, expose the Council to huge financial risk.
Virtual-lancaster therefore challenges the City Council to confirm or deny:
• Whether it has approached the recently-launched new supermarket chain ASCO to be the “single retailer” who will take over the Market building – the same company behind a newly-opened Warrington supermarket that has attracted disturbing comment from ex-employees and readers of the Warrington Guardian?
• Whether, after closing down community resources such as playgrounds and other amenities on the grounds that it has no money, the Council is now proposing to spend some £500,000 on converting Lancaster Market to make it a “White Box” building, suitable for single retailer use?
• Whether it has, or is proposing to offer ASCO £400,000 to take on the running of the building?
• Whether it has, or is proposing to also offer ASCO free rent for one year as an additional ‘sweetener’?
• Whether it has, or is proposing to offer, existing stall holders some £200,000 in compensation for the loss of their pitches?
virtual-lancaster is keenly aware the future of Lancaster Market is a mess and the annual loss is unsustainable. (In a recent statement, the Council says Lancaster Market has a substantial deficit, currently identified as £461,000 2009/10, rising to £492,000 in the next financial year). But we are very concerned that the Council’s proposed solution could expose Lancaster to even greater financial risk than the one it already faces – and Lancaster people will have no say in those plans, because the full details may well be kept from us.
We sincerely hope that Lancaster City Council will consider the future of Lancaster Market in full public view, and not, as may happen, behind closed doors.
• Lancaster City Council Full Council will take place at 2.00pm on Wednesday 3rd March at Morecambe Town Hall. Click here for agenda details on the City Council web site
• Lancaster City Council Statement on Lancaster Market
• Lancaster City Council: Lancaster Market Q&As (PDF link)