The future of the Victoria Centre market has been plunged into doubt after Nottingham City Council published the results of a consultation into the venue. A consultation was carried out between April and June this year, putting forward a proposal to end the lease after more than 50 years of investment.
Nottingham City Council reported that the ongoing subsidy costs over the remaining 50 years of the lease agreement are estimated to amount to £39m. The council has cited "costs outside of the council's control" and changes in shopping habits exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic as reasons behind their decision.
However, traders have vowed to fight it with "everything within their powers" as they expressed their disappointment at the outcome of the consultation. In the outcome released on Tuesday, August 9, officials are now set to recommend ending its lease and operation of the Victoria Indoor Market.
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The findings of the six-week consultation, which generated 630 responses, showed that most respondents supported the council continuing to run, subsidise and invest in the market. The next most popular option was to establish a council-run market at an alternative location, while the next most agreed with outcome was to go forward with the council’s proposals.
The council have stated that, whilst there was a positive response to the consultation, responses were from a small proportion of Nottingham’s residents and were "mostly elderly white British residents who shop and use the market regularly".
"Findings therefore represent only a limited snapshot view from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire residents," the authority added.
Traders and shoppers have responded angrily to the outcome of the consultation, with one trader saying that the news is "gutting." Aladdins Cave stallholder Steven Taylor said: "It's gutting really. They did say Covid was part of the problem.
"We will be fighting it and doing everything within our powers. We handed over a 7,000 person petition to David Mellen and it doesn't seem to have gone anywhere - it's outrageous."
Isabel Davidson from Netherfield said it’s disappointing to lose the market. The 65-year-old said: “I don’t think it’s right, a lot of people use it. There is a lot of them empty now.
“It’s been there a good while, I’m disappointed. There was the wool shop in there, I don’t know if it’s still there and I like the toffee shop as well.”
Mary Jane, 75, from Sherwood: “It’s been there for a while. I think they should leave it alone. The thing is it’s not getting customers. You can notice there’s not much there anymore.”
Acting Lead Councillor for Markets, Cllr Linda Woodings, said: “Our proposal to end the lease would save estimated running costs of £39m over the remaining 50 years of the current agreement, helping us to meet our duty to deliver value for money for local taxpayers.
“As expected, feedback from the consultation showed there is a great deal of affection for the market, with many respondents wanting the council to continue the market’s operation and subsidy and to carry out further investment.
“We have considered the feedback from the public, traders and the landlord. Following a review of the options in light of the consultee responses, the council’s officers are likely to recommend the council ends its lease and operation of the Victoria Market. We understand this would be a huge disappointment not only for customers and the wider public, but especially for traders at the market.
“We will now embark on further engagement with all traders and the landlord, before a final recommendation is made to councillors for a decision.”
A spokesperson for the Victoria Centre has said that whatever the outcome, it will continue to be "in the heart of Nottingham." Nigel Wheatley, centre director at Victoria Centre, said: "The market is run by Nottingham City Council and any decision regarding its future will be made by them. It would, therefore, be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage.
“Victoria Centre has been in the heart of Nottingham for the last 50 years and has always supported the city’s independent traders and will continue to do so.”
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