Plan to run and impose levy on Shrewsbury Square markets

The idea of running the markets was floated last night at a meeting of the town council's finance and general purposes committee, with officers being asked to open discussions with their counterparts at Shropshire Council.

Events in The Square are currently managed by Shropshire Council, running as a 'rival' offer to the Shrewsbury Market Hall, which is operated by the town authority. The town council has market rights, granted by Royal Charter, which means it can seek legal protection from other rival markets.

A report to councillors written by outdoor assets and recreation manager Mike Cox said the town council has not been pursuing Shropshire Council for fees related to markets in The Square.

But the report said it was time the relationship was "redetermined", with it suggesting that markets were charged a levy of £3.80 per stall by the town council and income being partly used to help promote the indoor market.

The report said the fee would generate more than £3,600 per year for the town council.

But councillors decided instead to recommend a 10 per cent levy on organisers on the cost of each stall to reflect any future price changes.

Councillor Peter Nutting, leader of the Conservative group, said: "If we are taking 10 per cent, then they are taking 90 per cent – it doesn't seem unreasonable." Earlier in the meeting, he suggested opening talks with Shropshire Council on the possibility of the town council taking on the running of markets in The Square to help simplify the management of the events.

The committee agreed that the town council should look into the possibility of taking on the responsibility.

The Square currently hosts two regular markets per month – Made In Shropshire arts and crafts market and Shrewsbury Farmers' Market, as well as more infrequent events such as continental markets.