Shrewsbury market traders up in arms at repair bill threat

Property Consultants Jones Lang LaSalle has written to the traders telling them that the 50-year-old building's main supply is in need of testing.

If these tests prove that repairs are necessary, the traders have been told that they will be legally obliged to pay towards them - even though they are not responsible for the upkeep of the building.

One stallholder, who did not want to be named, said he was barely making £100 a month in profit and couldn't afford to pay any more to the landlords.

"There could be a very big bill," he said.

"Everybody there is on a month's contract. The general feeling is that if this is pushed through then most of the market hall is going to be empty.

"Most of the traders are barely scraping by."

A fellow stallholder who also did not wish to be named, believes the charges are "unfair and unjustified" and said she will shut up shop and leave if the charges go ahead.

She said: "We are all up in arms, practically every single one of us has signed a petition and we have all written individual letters as well.

"It's just disgusting. If you rent a place from somebody you are liable for utility bills but not for the infrastructure.

"We have been told that the electrics probably won't pass the tests and that's when the bills will mount up, it will be going into the hundreds or even the thousands.

"We have been told that just the testing will cost £100 plus VAT. I just about make my rent each month

"It's absolutely disgusting, we are struggling as it is.

"Footfall has dramatically reduced and rent went up by £10 on May 1.

"But we are not getting anything back, there has been no improvement to the actual building and we are struggling on a daily basis.

"It is their responsibility but it feels like we are being held captive.

"It's very sad because we love it here, but we have had to get a petition going because this is unfair and unjustified."

In a letter sent by facilities manager Kate Gittins, tenants were informed that they will have to cover costs of carrying out electrical tests within their unit.

She said: "I have negotiated a special rate with the contractor, Ashlar, who is carrying out the landlord's testing, of £100 plus VAT.

"If the test highlights that remedial repairs are required it will be your responsibility to pay for such repairs."

Tenants have been given the option of bringing in their own approved contractor, which they will also have to pay for themselves.

Shrewsbury Town Council, which jointly runs the market with Jones Lang LaSalle, said the charges were not their decision.

Helen Ball, clerk for the authority, said: "That is a matter between Jones Lang LaSalle and their tenants."

Catherine Harrison, head of marketing and communications at Jones Lang LaSalle said: "As part of the landlord's obligation to test and certify the fixed wiring in the shared areas in the building, we, as managing agent, have written to numerous stallholders within the Market Hall to ask that they test their own areas of responsibility in accordance with their Licence Agreement.

"In an effort to assist stallholders and keep their outgoings to a minimum, we have also offered to carry out the testing on their behalf and have negotiated a special rate with a NICEIC approved contractor dealing with the landlord's areas.

"Our site facilities manager, who is based within the Market Hall itself, will be able to discuss any practical or financial concerns the stallholders may have."