Page 41 - MarketTimesDecember2017
P. 41

 Market Times • December 2017
REPORT
  products in a large covered stall.
They say the choice is to move into a gazebo
traffic and the market would improve,” he said. Despite some traders’ concerns, the relaunch has got off to a good start, and Adrian said that the council was being flexible and the aim was
and cut their product range, which would mean fewer sales, or face a big rent hike.
to keep all the traders happy and on board. One innovation that has won universal praise is the investment in colourful umbrellas for the town speciality markets which have been moved to the pedestrianised area at the top of the square
Some traders are pleased with the new gazebos. Peppi Matozza, who has been selling Italian food products on the market for three years, said: “The gazebos look good and I am pleased with the change.”
by Market House.
The general market takes place every Tuesday
Lee Crawley, who has the butchers wagon on the market, feels some of the money invested in the market could have been better spent
Peppi Matozza, who has been selling Italian food products on Leighton Buzzard market for the past three years, welcomes the investment in the market 41
But Lee Crawley, who started his own market butchers business five years ago after working for a large market butchers company, is not impressed.
and Saturday with a pop-up market for new and fledging businesses on the first Saturday of the month, a farmers’ market on the third Saturday, and a craft market on the fourth Saturday.
 “I have worked on markets across the country for the past 30 years and I don’t think gazebos are the way forward,” Lee said.
Traders said the atmosphere was buzzing and the footfall exceptional. The council is hoping that in time the success of the speciality markets, a new web site, improved promotion and the bright new look will bring more footfall to the general market.
Lee has plenty of regulars who buy from his wagon, but he says that market trading gets harder every year and traders have to work incredibly hard to make a living.
“In my opinion that should close the road to
 Vivien Cannon, head of cultural and economic services for Leighton-Linslade Town Council, is pictured with the new market manager, Adrian Harrison, who sold women’s fashion on the market for 40 years
















































































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