It's only just turned 9am and Tracey's Cafe is looking busy. There's more hustle and bustle here than anywhere else in Nottingham's dwindling Victoria Market where a handful of stalls and a couple of other cafes remain. "This is quiet at the moment," said owner Tracey Johnson, who runs the cafe with her sons Jack and Joe. "It will get busier."
Like the rest of the traders Tracey's in limbo, wondering what the future holds for the cafe she's put her heart and soul into over the last ten years, as the six-week consultation over the market draws to a close. Nottingham City Council is reviewing the operation of the market in Victoria Centre, as it looks to save estimated running costs amounting to £39m over the remaining 50 years of the current agreement.
Tracey, who serves breakfasts, cottage pie, lasagne, cheesecake and apple pie - all homemade - said they're in limbo. "They've not actually said it's closing as yet. They said we'll find out after June 5. They have said they would help us move on or basically pay us off. Given a choice I'd like to stay here. If not, ideally I would like somewhere else but it's got to be local to where we are now for the customers but then your rent's going to be higher."
