Leighton Buzzard market income forecast to drop this year

The council continues to subsidise the town market, with figures showing expenditure outweighing income since August 2017.

In its budget setting exercise 2018/19, the council downscaled predicted income from the market.

The report stated: “Market incomes for Tuesday and Saturday markets have been reprofiled to be more representative of actual income forecasts.

“Tuesday market income reduced from £40,000 to £35,000 and Saturday income reduced from £55,000 to £45,000.”

Leighton-Linslade Town Clerk Mark Saccoccio told the LBO: “The revised income targets for the Tuesday and Saturday markets are realistic and representative of the challenges that retail in general is facing from online shopping.”

Two traders are reportedly in arrears, which are being paid back to the council incrementally.

Local campaigner Victoria Harvey has campaigned vigorously against rent increases at market stalls, with a High Court hearing due to take place on February 13.

Miss Harvey said: “The issue is whether the town council had a duty to consult market traders and whether they followed the guidelines for consultation.”

The Court Order states the claim is a fairness challenge relating to the consultation to raise market pitch fees.

Miss Harvey has also called on the town council to publish its 12 month review of the market, after spending £120,000 in new equipment and trader training for the market relaunch.