22 Feb 2024
Street traders in St Albans city centre are facing a massive increase in fees which could devastate their businesses.
The mobile outlets could see their annual fees skyrocket from a few hundred pounds to well over £5,000 depending how many days a week they trade.
To compound the problem, they have only been given a few weeks’ notice of the proposals, with a consultation letter sent out on February 5 for submission by Monday (February 26).
The move is part of a bid by SADC to tackle a massive budget shortfall, but traders have been given no option about whether to support or reject the measures, and have merely been asked to comment ahead of a meeting of the strategy and resources committee on March 7.
Ironically, the markets manager who can answer questions about the plans is on holiday until February 28 – after the consultation period ends.
Should the proposals be approved, they will be presented as information to the licensing and regulatory committee on March 19 for implementation at the start of April.
This means businesses who have already budgeted for a year of fees at the previous rate have the choice of paying the massively increased figure or close up shop. To put things into context, the equivalent situation would be a high street retailer being told with just a few weeks’ notice that their rates were going up by more than 1,000 per cent.
Wider proposed changes to the market could also see a move towards operating seven days a week with 10 regular traders, although these are expected to be mainly food stalls.
A council spokesperson explained: “Street traders currently operate under street trading consents. These are issued under the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982 and only allow us to recover our costs.
“Currently, there is an annual fee of £552, discounted to £419 on renewal. The pitch fees proposed for the additional markets are £15 a day on Monday and Tuesday and £30 on Thursday and Friday.”
There is an additional fee of £35 for Sundays when other markets are not taking place. SADC will also charge extra for double pitches, so some traders could pay approximately £13,000 per year.
But although there is an option to increase the number of traders during the week, this is being done without proper consultation with the businesses adjacent to their pitches.
The spokesperson explained: “Many of the same traders are likely to be operating, just under a different permission, so there has been no need for a wider consultation.
“We are in regular contact with high street shops, restaurants and other businesses in any case and they are free to approach us about any issues they may have.
“Existing street traders will be offered pitches on additional market days before we advertise any vacancies.”
However, many existing shops and restaurants are already unhappy with the positioning of vans on Charter Market days as it restricts their visibility. The smell and general food provision infrastructure, including bins, has caused issues, as has the use of café and pub chairs and tables by customers of street food vendors.
The St Albans Times was contacted by one local businessman, who asked to remain anonymous, but said: “I could understand that the considerable investment in permanent premises through rent and rates that people pay for their shops/restaurants might be considered to be undermined by this initiative which I guess is seen as a revenue generator for SADC.
“I think there is a case to say that food stalls on their own will not bring anyone additional to the city centre, it will just reduce the spending in the existing permanent premises.
“I believe businesses are generally accepting of the existing arrangements even if it could be better administered, but I can’t see a more permanent food market being accepted without considerable thought as to how it could be made to work alongside existing businesses, which would mean having a meaningful consultation.”
Vivien Cannon, manager of St Albans BID (Business Improvement District), which represents all companies operating in the city centre, responded to the proposals: “BID
would encourage SADC to enter and maintain a dialogue about future ideas for any market day expansion with high street shops, businesses, and restaurants to ensure their voices and issues are heard.
“BID will continue to work with all parties to have updates on any changes.”
