Labour councillors will not back the proposal to close Lancaster Market at tomorrow’s Full Council meeting, where plans to offer the building to a single retailer and relocate stallholders is to be discussed – along with many other proposed cuts to Lancaster and Morecambe services.
“The Labour Group supports the public view that every effort should be made to keep the market open, says Councillor Eileen Blamire, Leader of Lancaster City Council Labour Group. “We believe that the current proposals before the Council are unacceptable because of the huge costs and risks involved.
“We should enter into realistic negotiations with the market traders immediately in order to create a viable commercial enterprise.
“Lancaster has always been a market town and every effort must be made to retain this important historic feature.”
• Lancaster City Council Full Council will take place at 2.00pm on Wednesday 3rd March at Morecambe Town Hall. Campaigners will march from Lancaster Market at 12:15 prompt to Morecambe to vent their anger at the closure plans. 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)