Market fees for Leighton Buzzard permanent traders may be reintroduced in April

The market returned to the High Street in June 2020

Rent for permanent market traders in Leighton Buzzard will be reintroduced from April as long as the pandemic eases and there aren’t any future lockdowns.

Leighton-Linslade Town Council has waived 100% of charges for its permanent market traders since March 2020 when the first Covid-19 restrictions came into place.

Following a meeting of the Leighton-Linslade Town Council’s Policy and Finance Committee to discuss payment of fees, a spokesperson said: “The town council is a strong advocate for the market and councillors wish to make sure there is a future for it and its loyal customers in years to come. Providing the support to traders now allows them the time to adapt and prepare for future trading.

“Full fees will be reintroduced from April onwards pending new information coming to light that may cause the town council to reconsider its position. As with all services the council leads on, councillors maintain a watching brief and will act in the best interests of the service and public.”

Throughout the year, all casual and speciality traders have continued to pay for their pitch. The costs usually are £23 p/w for a casual trader, £19p/w for a permanent trader plus benefits including holiday allocation and regular pitch, £18p/w for a speciality trader, £20p/w for a handmade and craft trader and there are smaller fees for a start-up trader.

Currently in a third lockdown, the market is again reduced to selling permitted items only.

Cllr Stephen Jones, chair of the policy and finance committee, said: “We have to be mindful not to change things too quickly for traders.”

The town council anticipates a continued low level of income for 2021/22.