TOWN CENTRE MARKETS DECISION REAFFIRMED

South Beds District Council’s Executive Committee agreed at their meeting last night Tuesday 9 January to safeguard the future prosperity of the markets in Leighton Buzzard and Dunstable by reaffirming its decision to award the contract for running the markets to Wendy Fair Markets Ltd. 

Executive Councillors had previously agreed on this decision as the best way of ensuring the markets receive the investment and management needed to maintain them to a high standard, and to introduce improvements for customers and traders.

The Executive’s decision was called in for reconsideration by the council’s Local Governance Overview & Scrutiny committee. After some discussion and clarification of a number of issues it was unanimously decided to proceed with the previous decision to award the contract to Wendy Fair Markets Ltd should stand.

It was felt that Wendy Fair Ltd which currently operates several markets on behalf of local authorities was the option which offered the most experience and opportunities for investment in the security and future development of both markets.

The contract will begin in April 2007 and will be initially for five years. While the council will no longer be involved in the day to day running of the markets, it will have regular meetings with Wendy Fair and will also carry out regular inspections. 

Councillor Philip Penman who has portfolio responsibility for Financial management at the council said: “The South Bedfordshire street markets are a valued part of the economic vitality and viability of the two town centres. It is in the interests of Wendy Fair to make these markets even more successful and to attract a variety of stalls and customers to the markets. Well run markets will increase footfall in our town centres and that will be of great benefit to our entire community.”

Ends

Press release issued: January 10 2007