A TORY minister has stepped into the row over Colchester Council plans to move street traders into the High Street – dismissing them as “wrong” and “fussy”.
Stallholders have been told after a brief grace period, they will have to pay five times more to use the new pitches than they pay at present.
Traders fighting the move have handed in a 7,500-name petition to the council, However, officials insist centuries-old rules mean they cannot be allowed to trade elsewhere when the town’s official “charter market” is on.
Nick Boles, a Conservative minister in the Department for Business, has intervened in the row, fiercely criticising the council which is run by a coalition of Labour, Lib Dem and independent councillors.
On a visit to Colchester, Mr Boles said: “If we did everything which was written down in Latin hundreds of years ago, we would all be cutting our wives if they talked to another man. It’s outrageous.
“It would appear this decision was made by somebody sitting in an office who does not know how business works. The council should listen to what is being said.
“These people survived one of the worst recessions, but would they survive a Lib Dem decision to move them? They fear they would not.
“It is completely wrong and I hope they think again.”
Mr Boles waded into the dispute after meeting the Culver Street West traders alongside Tory Parliamentary candidate, Will Quince.
One trader, Trevor Lankford, told Mr Boles moving to the High Street would kill off his business.
Mr Lankford, who sells cut flowers, potted plants and freerange eggs, said he had been told he could only sell flowers on Fridays and Saturdays – when the High Street market is on.
He added: “How can they expect me to survive?
“I’m the wrong side of 50, I’d be set for a life on the dole if they had their way.
“Friday and Saturday are the only days I take a few bob.”
'Disturbing'
ANNE Turrell, Colchester Lib Dem councillor responsible for the market, reacted angrily to the Tory minister’s comments.
She said: “I find it very disturbing somebody has spoken about the situation without asking the council what is going on.”
She pointed out the decision to move the market had been made by the council’s cabinet, which also included Labour and Highwoods Independent councillors.
Talks were held on Tuesday between Mrs Turrell and Colchester Street Traders’ Association.
They were described by both parties as “positive”.
Further details are expected to be released later in the week.
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