Barnsley market trader accuses council of 'causing massive divide' over rent breaks

Those inside The Glassworks have been offered rent breaks, while outdoor traders at Barnsley Market are still paying rent, it is claimed.

Indoor traders have been offered free rent until October, in a bid to help them through the aftermath of the coronavirus lockdown.

However, outdoor traders are still expected to pay rent, despite many struggling for business.

Trader Keiron Knight says the authority has not been fair.

He said: “Before lockdown, the market was ticking over, and the market is now really quiet. The council is not giving equal support to outdoor traders.

“They're causing a massive divide. All I am asking for is parity with Glassworks traders.

“We're all back trading on full rent - I didn't open my stall last Wednesday, because I wasn't going to make any profit.

“This is against a backdrop of The Glassworks tenants getting thousands of pounds in support, which they are rightly entitled to, while the outdoor traders started paying full rent on the first day back.”

Although outdoor traders can claim for self-employed income support and have been awarded a grant equal to six months’ rent, Keiron says this grant has to cover other expenses and has not equalled a rent break.

Coun Tim Cheetham, council cabinet spokesperson for place, said: “From the start of this pandemic, we reiterated our commitment to our market by keeping food stalls open and trading where possible.

“Both our indoor and outdoor markets are an integral part of our town centre, and that’s illustrated by the fantastic response we had on Monday when our outdoor market reopened.

“We’re doing all we can to support both our indoor and outdoor traders during this difficult time.

“Indoor traders won’t pay any rent until October 1, even if they reopen on June 17, in addition to fixed grants they received in March, which we paid out to traders before receiving money from the government.

“Outdoor traders need to make a claim for self-employed income support and have been awarded a grant equal to six months’ rent.

“This is not the case in many other local authorities or privately-operated markets, who either haven’t supported traders, are still charging rents for closed markets or plan to back-date rents when they reopen.

“Outdoor traders are clear about their eligibility to claim a range of support in addition to the payment from the council – illustrated by the fact we have received claim forms from over two thirds of outdoor traders.

“How the traders choose to allocate the support - to either cover previous costs or support with ongoing costs - is a matter for each trader to decide.”

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