Traders in Leeds Kirkgate Market have welcomed news that they have won a partial refund of three years of business rates.
Following an appeal from traders, the government's Valuation Office Agency has agreed a rate reduction of 10% for traders in the 1976 hall.
They have also been refunded the 10% for the last three years as well. The move follows a recent assessment into rates paid by the traders which took into account the number of empty stalls in that part of the market.
Trader Liz Laughton has been one of the leading lights of a traders' campaign calling for better management of the market, more promotion and investment and traders having a greater say in the running of the facility.
Renewed rent reduction calls
Fishmonger Laughton - whose business wasn't one of the 78 benefiting from the rebate - welcomed the financial boost, saying it recognised the financial reality facing traders. But she said the key issue of a rent reduction for traders by their Leeds council landlords still hadn't been addressed and added:
"In my opinion we are paying in the region of 60 per cent too much rent and that's something that really needs to be addressed. It's great that the 1976 hall traders are paying lower business rates, it really is, but three quarters of traders in this market are still paying top rates.
"We still desperately need help. And what this market really needs more than anything is a markets manager with a track record of turning failing markets around."
At June's meeting of the council's powerful executive board, councillors agreed to look again at potential rent reductions. A markets manager position is due to be advertised.
Council welcomes rebate
Leeds council yesterday released a press release welcoming the business rate rebate.
In it, Kirkgate Market Champion councillor Mark Dobson said:
"Leeds council is delighted with this decision, and encouraged that the tenants' appeal has been successful. This is a financial boost for those traders running businesses in what are currently difficult economic circumstances.
"The initiative from tenants to obtain this refund has shown a real willingness of the traders to work together to achieve a common purpose, and I am very pleased to see this community spirit is alive and well in the market."
The press release added that the market had continued to grow in the past 12 months, and with £250,000 of capital funding having been made available over the next two years to undertake customer improvement on the market, it would continue to grow and improve.
A number of new initiaitves have been brought to Kirkgate Market in the last few months, including the opening of Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food and the newly launched Asian themed Bazaar market, which runs each Wednesday on the outdoor market.
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