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A host of market traders are in limbo, after their base in Bridgend’s indoor market was shut down over RAAC fears. At the moment, they only have a fixed site they can trade in once a week, in Rhiw Shopping Centre and now, concern is growing as to how they will fair over the Christmas period.
Traders are worried they will lose all their customers as the busiest time of year approaches. They claim they have been offered no financial support.
There is still no indication as to when the market is likely to reopen. The market shut with immediate effect over a “potential issue” over reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its roof on Wednesday, September 20. Bridgend County Borough Council said the closure has been deemed necessary in the “interests of public safety” after a specialist inspection was carried out.
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Luke Fletcher – Member of the Senedd (Welsh Parliament) for South Wales West, raised the issue in the Senedd on Tuesday, October 10 when he asked Mark Drakeford what discussions had taken place to support traders with Bridgend County Borough Council. Mark Drakeford replied, saying he “did not have those details to hand.”
Some traders have criticised Bridgend County Borough Council’s response since they got the news. Hayley Davies, who runs Tilly’s Rawsome Pet Food told WalesOnline: “We are trading once a week in the Rhiw Arcade. This was arranged with Eileen, the markets spokesperson, and Rachel Bell The Rhiw Manager.
“It’s affected our business drastically as we can only trade once a week. We are worried we will lose all our customers. Plus so close to Christmas we don’t know what is happening. We have been offered no financial support from BCBC, even though all accounts were sent over to them three weeks ago. BCBC say we are helping, but we haven’t seen anything yet.”
‘None of this is their fault’
Luke Fletcher MS also told WalesOnline: “Bridgend indoor market is a crucial part of the town’s local economy. The market’s closure due to RAAC was the right course of action to take, but what is important now is that the traders who have been forced to vacate the premises are supported into the festive season.
“Right now, as most retailers are gearing up for the Christmas period, the traders in the market are apprehensive and seriously concerned about how the closure is going to impact their businesses throughout what is one of the busiest times of the year. None of this is their fault – an alternative temporary location needs to be found for the traders as soon as possible and they should be compensated for loss of earnings.”
A Bridgend County Borough Council spokesman said: “While some of the complex issues involved require time to resolve within the parameters of what we are legally permitted to do using public money, Bridgend County Borough Council is 100 per cent committed towards ensuring that the stall holders are back up and trading again as quickly as possible.
“The market had to close its doors in the interests of public safety after an inspection by a Welsh Government approved specialist confirmed that there was a potential issue with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete – or RAAC for short – in parts of the market hall roof.
“As soon as this became known, we took swift action to inform the traders and provide alternative storage facilities, including an industrial fridge and freezer, as well as offering immediate support with itemising and relocating their existing stock. The council also cancelled rental payments, returned financial bonds, and set up 100 per cent business rate exemptions on the affected stalls.
“Since then, we have been working alongside partners such as the Rhiw Shopping Centre, the Shared Regulatory Service’s food safety, trading standards and environmental health teams, Business Wales, the Department of Works and Pensions and Citizen’s Advice in order to provide the traders with additional support and bespoke guidance.
“In partnership with the owners of the Rhiw Shopping centre, we have been working to lease up to three vacant units in order to provide temporary accommodation for any indoor market trader who requires it. This will seek to provide alternative premises for food retailers while enabling non-food related businesses to share a larger space, and will be open from Monday to Saturday.
“At the same time, we are supporting traders who wish to locate to alternative premises outside of the Rhiw Shopping Centre, and are advising them about available grants and funding that they can apply for. In addition, the Rhiw Shopping Centre has agreed that the market traders can erect pop-up stalls using the space outside the market entrance to promote their temporary relocation every Friday, and we are looking at how we can help to promote the traders and the new temporary arrangements to shoppers as part of a wider Christmas campaign.
“Additional survey work has been commissioned at the indoor market, and we are continuing to do all that we can to support traders and ensure that the market can reopen again as soon as it is safe to do so.”
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