Council offers a range of solutions to support displaced market traders
Poster information
Posted on: Monday 30 October 2023
Bridgend County Borough Council is in discussion with displaced traders from Bridgend Indoor Market on a variety of options to ensure they can continue trading in the run up to Christmas.
The local authority has been in regular contact with traders since the market hall was forced to close due to the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in sections of the roof.
The council has been working with traders and local property landlords; including the owners of The Rhiw Shopping Centre, to identify suitable alternative premises to allow traders to get up and running again as soon as possible.
Traders wishing to take the proposed alternative premises have been offered space, and assurances that the rent will not be in excess of the rent paid in the market, for a period of six months.
The council is also providing its full support towards any set up and relocation costs and are currently awaiting business owner’s decisions to move this forward.
This is not a one size fits all solution. Council officers have been working tirelessly, behind the scenes to facilitate a way forward to enable each and every trader to relocate and trade again as soon as possible, based on their own individual circumstances.
In order to support them in any way we possibly can, we have agreed to pay for their set up, any adaptations and removal costs, and where possible for any new rental costs to equate to no more than they paid in the indoor market.
We have also offered business support advice from our Economic Development team including the opportunity of financial grant support where appropriate. Traders are also currently being offered a weekly pop-up stall in the Rhiw Shopping Centre to enable them to continue trading. Our main priority is to find a solution to suit all traders, to enable them to get up and running and trading again as soon as is practicably possible, in the run up to the busiest time of the year.
Cllr Huw David, Leader of Bridgend County Borough Council