Tom Gordon, Lib Dem MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, has joined calls from local businesses and residents to save Knaresborough market.
North Yorkshire Council plans to make traders and Knaresborough market to fund and erect their own stalls, with plans to come into effect as early as November 2024.
Many locals are concerned that the changes will reduce the amount of stalls at the market, and slowly kill it off as a result.
Tom Gordon said:
“The administration of the market should be handed over to the Knaresborough Town Council, as has already been talked about.
"We were promised devolution. Once again North Yorkshire Council is dragging its feet to the detriment of local people and businesses.
"I spoke to many residents and traders at the Market today, and time and again they told me how special and important it is to them."
Knaresborough Market has been running for hundreds of years.
The town council were in talks to take over its running in late 2023, but these latest plans were announced without the town council being notified.
As part of his ‘Summer Tour’ of the constituency, Tom visited the market to talk to constituents on the 21st August, and whilst there had conversations with market stallholders about the situation, many of whom expressed concern over the plans.
There is particular concern that making stallholders construct their own stalls would prevent elderly or disabled people from continuing to operate at the market. The plans might potentially violate discrimination laws as a result.
A petition against the plans has now been signed by over 600 people.
Tom said:
“Knaresborough Town Council exists for exactly this purpose. We must keep Knaresborough Market properly funded. It brings so much life to the town.
"Defunding it would affect the town, and also the more elderly and disabled stall holders, who would not be able to set up their own stalls.
“North Yorkshire Council is based many miles away in Northallerton, and, quite frankly, clearly do not understand Knaresborough."
He added:
"They should be leaving well alone. The council are meant to be supportive of our communities, and look to improve them, not just save money.
“This plan must be dropped. Knaresborough Market’s future should not be decided by Northallerton.
"I will be meeting with the CEO of the council next week, and Knaresborough Market will be top of my agenda.”
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