THE new manager of Okehampton market this week hit out at plans to give the town?s farmers? market booking preference over long-standing Saturday stall holders in the market hall.
Pam Powisland, who took over the management of the market at the beginning of July, said she had already seen an upturn in takings in the market and was keen to expand and build the facility into a thriving enterprise.
But last week she received a letter from Okehampton Town Council, informing her that the farmers? market, which until now has used the Charter Hall, would be given first option to book the market hall on the third Saturday of the month for 2005.
Mrs Powisland said she was horrified at the news.
She said: ?It seems grossly unfair ? a real kick in the teeth, especially for those traders who have been there for so long.
?Some of them have been there 20 years and now they are going to be asked to give up one of their Saturdays.
?I don?t feel we should give up that Saturday ? I feel losing it could have a knock-on effect on the rest of the days and it?s undoing the work I?ve been doing, trying to boost it.?
Mrs Powisland said turning the market round and increasing stallholders and takings would not happen overnight ? but she had already received many positive comments from traders and customers since taking over.
?I?ve had people coming in saying it looks a lot nicer ? several I know stopped bothering to come but they are coming back now.
?I?ve room for more traders, I?m still advertising for more.
?Everyone is welcome, there?s a friendly atmosphere, there?s lots of potential. At the end of the day, what do they want?
?There?s no point saying they want somebody to promote the market, then turning round and doing this.?
Mrs Powisland said the market traders had no problem with sharing the hall with the farmers? market ? but were very unhappy at the prospect of losing a day?s trade to it.
Cllr Tony Leech, mayor of Okehampton, said the council had fully debated the issue in the light of its performance plan objectives of promoting more market variety, including themed markets, and its desire to support the farmers? market.
He said councillors realised their decision would not please everyone.
But Cllr Leech said the crucial point was that the council felt the Charter Hall was not suitable for markets, particularly when food was involved, given the lack of adequate handwashing facilities.
?We want all markets to be where they should be ? in the market hall,? he said.
Last month, Christine Brown, secretary of Okehampton Farmers? Market Association, told the Times the group was disappointed at the council?s decision to ask it to leave the Charter Hall.
Mrs Brown this week confirmed the farmers? market had received the new offer of accommodation in the market hall.
She said: ?We have various options to discuss and we have a meeting towards the end of September, so whatever proposals the council has offered will need to go before our committee then.?
Mrs Brown said Okehampton Farmers? Market, the first to set up in Devon almost six years ago, was keen to stay in the Charter Hall but realised that was ?not an option?.
?We are in the Charter Hall until December, because it has already been booked, but whatever happens, we will definitely be staying in Okehampton,? she said.