Council leader to meet traders over market changes

North Northamptonshire Council has proposed a series of changes to Wellingborough Market

The leader of a council has offered to meet traders over proposed changes to the local market.

Anti-social behaviour such as street drinking means the fixed stalls at Market Square in Wellingborough will start being removed on Monday, North Northamptonshire Council says.

Sandra McGrath, who has a children's clothing stall on the market, said the local authority should have spoken to traders before making the decision.

Conservative leader Jason Smithers said he would meet traders to "explain what the council is doing".

Large photo boards showing the history of the market will also be taken down and drop-down bollards will be installed.

The council said the work would make the area safer and create a larger events space.

Jason Smithers has said markets "add energy and soul to town centres and the communities they serve"

Northamptonshire Police recommended the stalls be removed after highlighting that anti-social behaviour was an issue in a recent audit, according to the council.

Ms McGrath said: "We have constantly asked to meet with council folk to discuss problems and to put our views forward."

After being contacted by the BBC with her comments, Mr Smithers said: "I welcome the opportunity to meet with traders who run stalls at Wellingborough Market."

He said he would "listen carefully to what they have to say".

Traders are due to be relocated to Orient Way while the work is carried out, which could take up to 10 days.

A spokesman stressed that the market would return to the square once the removal work was complete.

The council did not say whether any damage had been caused as a result of the alleged anti-social behaviour.