Nottingham: Council to set out Victoria Centre Market plans to traders

Traders still operating in the market want certainty over the future

Council bosses have said they will set out their plans for the future of Nottingham's Victoria Centre Market in a meeting with traders next week.

The authority is currently seeking to end its lease on the market to try to save £39m over the next 50 years.

It said it was reviewing "all options" on the lease with the centre's owners.

Traders have complained they have been left "in limbo" over whether they will be able to remain in their stalls in the future.

The council, which declared itself effectively bankrupt last week, has previously said it spends £1.5m annually subsidising the market.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said several council deadlines on announcing a decision on the market had come and passed.

Carol Lilley said the customers had been put off by the market's poor upkeep

A council spokesman said: "Like many others across the country, Victoria Market has seen a fall in trade over recent years, exacerbated by the pandemic and changing shopping habits.

"This, along with increased service charges from the centre owners, has deepened the financial pressure on us to support it going forward.

"We are currently reviewing all options with the landlord regarding exiting the lease, but will aim to keep the market open into the new year. We have a pre-arranged meeting with traders next Monday to discuss our intended next steps for 2024."

The council said about half the stalls in the market were currently leased and that it was accepting new traders.

However, existing stallholders said their trade was being affected by a faulty car park lift, closed toilets and unreliable heating.

Repairs planned

Carole Lilley, who has run an underwear stall at the market for 38 years, told the BBC customers were being put off by the market's poor condition.

She said the uncertainty over the future of her business had affected her health.

She said: "I was told last November to stay and I would be compensated but they [the council] don't have the money to pay us out and they don't have they money to keep us open."

The council spokesman added: "We have parts on order to fix the car park lift, but things like toilets, heating and security are all managed by the shopping centre owners."

A spokesperson for the Victoria Centre said: "We are willing to continue an open dialogue with Nottingham City Council but, alongside the stallholders, we are seeking greater clarity on their long-term position regarding the continued operation of the market and the financial investment that it requires from them.

"The market is owned and operated by Nottingham City Council who remain responsible for its management, including any required maintenance within the market.

"Our own security teams patrol the mall and are always on hand to assist, where needed. We know that some of our retailers have additional security in place, but this is done at the discretion of each retailer."