Traders plea ahead of Victoria Centre Market closure next year

Traders Nick Clark, Stephen Taylor and Sharon Manning said they still hoped for a U-turn on the closure decision

Traders have issued a plea to shoppers ahead of the planned closure of Nottingham's Victoria Centre Market next year.

Nottingham City Council confirmed last week the market would close in the summer and no new stalls would open before then.

The authority said it could no longer afford to keep it open and wanted to end its 100-year lease early.

However existing traders urged shoppers not to give up on them yet.

Nick Clark, who runs the Cobblers and Keys stall, said: "The problem is what will happen in between now and when the council says the market will close.

"A lot of people think the place is shut already so they don't come.

"There are still more than 20 great little businesses here and we need to remind everyone we are not gone yet.

"We have months left, maybe more because the council has said we'd be closed in the past and then changed its mind.

"All the traders here have bills to pay and mouths to feed and, even though it will be difficult, we still have a lot to offer shoppers."

He added: "We are worried that customers will drift away now the council has made its announcement."

The council said about half of the stalls were currently let

Stephen Taylor, who runs Aladdin's Cave in the market, said: "We're a determined bunch and we haven't given up on the hope the council have a fresh look at this and change its mind.

"They still haven't given us a date [for closure].

"We're not convinced with some of the numbers the council is throwing around.

"We think this market can be profitable but the narrative from the council is that we are down and out. Not true.

"We need to change that narrative so our customers stick with us."

The council has said further discussions with traders about next steps and possible compensation would take place in the new year.

The authority, which declared itself effectively bankrupt last month by issuing a section 114 notice, said it hoped to save £39m by ending its lease with Victoria Centre's owners Global Mutual early.

Pavlos Kotsonis, the council's portfolio holder for leisure and culture, previously said: "In its heyday, Victoria Market was a busy, popular venue but sadly it has been under-used for years.

"There is an ever-decreasing number of loyal customers who retain great affection for it, but, more widely, people's shopping habits have changed.

"This is a national trend, not unique to Nottingham, and the effect of the pandemic has been significant in that.

"However, increased service charges meant the council has had to subsidise its operation for many years, on top of a number of traders falling into rent arrears."