Market traders in Ilkeston have hit out at the council after they have been banned from parking their vans behind their pitches. For years all stall holders on the lower market have been parking their vans behind their stall but now if they refuse to park them elsewhere they will face action.
One of the town’s longest serving traders, Gordon Wren, who has been selling wool and knitting supplies on the market for forty-five years as well as at three shops in the area has been suspended after heated arguments with the market manager over the new rules. Gordon was angry because he has always parked his van, which he protects with van insurance, on the same part of the market. He is also angry that by using a car park, stall holders will be taking spaces that the shoppers need.
Neighbouring trader, Mr Healey said: “We are gutted about this. We have always had our vans parked at the back of our stalls and then out of the blue we’re told to get them off the market. We’ve had to park up on the street, that’s no use to us. It’s always been like this down here, we’ve always been able to park up where we are. The council should be working with the traders not working against us.”
The Council claim their stance is purely aimed at creating a level playing field after they listened to the concerns of other traders raised at the Markets Forum. The council want to make sure they fairly and consistently apply the rules because other stall holders felt that having vans parked around the stalls was not attractive and they make the market look cluttered, untidy and they also take up space. A small number of traders are still holding out against the ban and continue to bring their vans to their pitches; however, they have been advised by letter that the rule will be enforced.