Councillor concerned for future of Leighton Buzzard Market after changes to fees
A councillor says she is concerned about the future of Leighton Buzzard Market after a town council meeting voted to increase fees for traders at weekends by 10 per cent.
At a meeting of the town council’s Cultural and Economic Committee, held at the White House on March 16, the authority agreed to increase the cost of the stalls at the Saturday market by 10 per cent.
Fees for traders at the Tuesday market will remain the same, however independent Central Bedfordshire councillor Victoria Harvey, who represents the Leighton Linslade West ward, said she was ‘very worried’ about the market’s future.
"Nothing has been done to reduce parking fees, and with there being less facilities in the town centre to attract people in, much more needs to be done to promote the Tuesday market," Cllr Harvey said.
The market has not put up rent since 2017, and Cllr Harvey added: "Considering the pressure the market is under, it would surely make sense to have more stalls, because then the council would make more money if prices were kept down.
"We need to get buses down the High Street to help elderly people access the market," she added.
"During the meeting the councillors were quoting Martyns Law, where precautions have to be taken to avoid a scenario where people could drive cars through the market. We do not have a proper barrier to the market, and there has been no report on the safety implications of such a move."
Martyn’s Law, also known as the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, was named after Martyn Hett, one of the victims killed in the Manchester Arena terrorist attack in 2017.
The act, which received Royal Assent last year, requires specific locations and events to implement, where practicable, anti-terrorism procedures and training to reduce harm during attacks.
Cllr Harvey said she was also concerned that the town council was likely to spend in excess of £30,000 improving the market lock-up in Bell Alley where the gazebos are stored, and that the rubbish collection service available to the vegetable stall traders had been taken away.
"I fear the council don’t understand it is a working market, and not just about gift stalls," she added.
"Buying fresh fruit and vegetables at the market is a key part of Leighton Buzzard’s history.
"There used to be signing advertising the farmers market, but the current council have taken these away, so there is minimal advertising about bringing local farmers into the town centre.
"Leighton Buzzard is a town where local farmers have come to sell produce for thousands of years, and I don’t think they get the importance of that."
The town council said in a statement: “The town council recognises the value and importance of the twice weekly market to the High Street.
“Footfall on both market and non-market days remains higher than the national small towns average.
“Sixty-nine per cent of residents interviewed as part of the 2025 town survey would recommend a visit to Leighton Buzzard town centre.
“The town council will continue raising the profile of the market and town centre businesses through the events and activities we host.
“More information about forthcoming events on the market including the Local Services Day on Saturday 18 April can be found in the February to April edition of the About Town publication”.