You're out (From Barry And District News)

You're out

BARRY"S market traders have been left "speechless" and "devastated" after being told that half of them will not be able to set up their stalls for at least a year - starting next Tuesday.

Officers from the Vale of Glamorgan Council met with market operators M & B Market Promotions on Tuesday afternoon to tell them the bad news - giving the market traders just a few hours notice.

All of the stalls that trade in King Square and also those that trade at the bottom of Holton Road are affected by the partial closure, which is due to the redevelopment of the town centre

Andrew Graham, who owns a rug stall, has been trading on Barry Market since it opened 11 years ago.

He said: "No-one from the council came to explain. It"s disgusting having no notice.

"We haven"t even had a chance to tell our customers. It"s a good, thriving market and the town needs it - it draws people into the town.

"They should relocate the whole market somewhere else."

Ian Tobin of M & B Market Promotions agrees.

He said: "The hoardings are being moved out beyond the centre of Holton Road, which means we wont be able to erect 46 stalls - more than 50 per cent of the market.

"I can"t see why the development couldn"t be phased in.

"The stallholders are devastated - this was never anticipated by myself or the traders. I am really lost for words."

He added: "The people of Barry have lost half a market - it could be the straw that breaks the camel"s back."

The council acknowledged that a "significant number" of market stalls would be lost but said that the council reserves the right to alter or vary the terms of the market.

Chris Fray, head of economic development and leisure, said: "Officers considered moving the market temporarily to another location, but this would not have the benefit of being in a shopping area.

"When King Square is reopened in 2006 it will provide an attractive area for a variety of uses

"Unfortunately, for the next 12 months, stallholders and customers will have to get used to a reduced area."

l Ian Tobin of M&B Market Promotions said he has approached the council with a view to allowing the market to continue in full for one more week. At the time of going to press no decision had been made.