Nottingham's Victoria Market traders are giving away hundreds of hot drinks to show they are "not going anywhere in a hurry" as uncertainty remains around the venue's future. Talks with traders at the market, which is based in the Victoria Centre, have been ongoing for months as Nottingham City Council considers whether to surrender its lease of the site.
Traders say they were originally given a February 24 date by which the council was due to surrender the lease, but this deadline has now passed without any further clarity being given. The authority recently confirmed it was in "advanced talks" about possible compensation offers in the event the authority decides to close the market.
At a full council meeting on Monday (March 6), a senior councillor said an update would be provided to traders "very soon." Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Skills, Economic Growth and Development, acknowledged it was a "difficult time" for the venue's traders but said the council was doing "all we can, as quickly as we can" in coming to a final decision.
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As uncertainty continues, a group of traders have now joined forces to offer 500 free teas or coffees to shoppers at the market. Those wishing to claim a free drink will be able to do so at any of the market's three remaining cafes.
The cafes will keep a tally of the hot drinks they have provided, which will be paid for by a group of traders including John Easom, who owns Gold Bank Jewellers. John said: "We're constantly getting people every day asking if the market has totally closed now, so this is a way for us to say that we're still here and we're not going anywhere in a hurry.
"People can come in and have a free cup of tea or coffee in the market, and it's one of the cheapest places in Nottingham anyway. It seems odd that, in a cost of living crisis, we could end up with some of the cheapest cafes in Nottingham closing."
Another trader taking part in the scheme, who did not want to be named, said: "It's nice to be able to give something back. We're obviously in a period of very cold weather and a cost of living crisis too, so there's a lot of people who can benefit from this.
"For some people, coming out for a free coffee or tea might also be the only time they get out of the house that day, and this highlights the real social value of the market as well." Calls are growing for Nottingham City Council to give Victoria Market traders more clarity on the site's future.
Joe Harrison, the chief executive of the National Market Traders Federation, said: "I am not here to beat up the council because I'm coming at this from a professional point of view and I think we can come to a professional agreement. I'm calling for a meeting with the council's leader and chief executive to discuss the situation.
"I just think these traders need to be given some peace of mind, because how can they possibly plan for the future when they haven't got a timeframe for anything. These people have got families, mortgages to pay and businesses to run."
John Easom added: "We just need to know now if they are going to close up the market or keep it open. I personally don't need a compensation offer because I would much rather stay in the market."
The market, located in the Victoria Shopping Centre, has been operating for more than 50 years and, at one point, boasted more than 200 stalls. Nottingham City Council first recommended in August 2022 that it should end the current lease for the market to save more than £39 million. Councillor Langton added at Monday's meeting that if the council does decide to close the market, a new timescale will be drawn up detailing when any relevant compensation may be paid.
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