Market traders' big 'thank you' to councillors over rent freeze

Traders were grateful to Coun Jeffery and Coun Forster for their efforts.

Those working on Castleford’s outdoor market feared they would go out of business after saying their attempts to negotiate with market chiefs fell on deaf ears.

But after approaching Castleford councillor, Richard Forster, and Wakefield Council leader, Denise Jeffery, they helped secure them two months of free rent, including December, and a month of half rent.

The traders were so grateful for the concessions, they held a whip-round among the traders and bought gifts for the pair.

Paul Whitaker, who has run a stall selling smoking materials for 15 years, said: “We pleaded with the market hierarchy but we didn’t get anywhere, so we rang Denise and Richard. We spoke with Denise, and she said ‘give us a couple of days’, and they’ve really helped us.

“They have been brilliant, and we just wanted to get them something to say ‘thank you’

“It’s given us a bit of breathing space.”

Mr Whitaker said that takings are still between 40 and 70 per cent down.

“We’ve been on our knees, and we are still nowhere near where we should be for this time of year,” he added.

“We have been really struggling. It might look busy at time but it does not translate into takings.

“A lot of our customers are elderly, and with the pandemic, a lot of them have not still got the confidence to come out.”

Richard Forster said he was humbled by the gifts, and added “They are a great bunch of people.

“Shoppers purposely come to the market, they help create an atmosphere and it’s this social aspect that people come into town for. We have to look at what keeps it going and how we can support it.

“It’s the heart of the town and people come for the market.”