'You're exaggerating the crisis' - Councillor told plea over future of Leighton Buzzard market is 'creating panic'

A motion presented to Central Bedfordshire Council’s Leighton-Linslade partnership committee urged the town council and CBC “that all measures to help the Tuesday market and the High Street are urgently pursued”.

It was supported by Leighton Buzzard business owner Clive Jacques, who runs the Latte Dah Coffeehouse and Café on Peacock Mews.

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Chris Leaman told him in an email, copied to committee members, that the town council, “with the market subsidy, is spending more than £300,000 a year trying to attract people into the town centre”.

Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey presented her motion to the committee, saying: “People come into Leighton Buzzard to shop.

“If you’re on a low income, the market is extremely good. We’ve massive challenges around people coming into town.

“There are issues with footfall, the town centre being dirty, and parking charges. We don’t have exhibition space, a museum or a visitor centre.

“I’ll be very sorry if the legacy of this administration was to end a 1,000-year-old market. This is about really supporting local (traders), which is why we need urgent action.

“I’m seeing the town centre and market die before my eyes. To wait for another strategy, we might not have a market by September. I know the sense of upset and grief.

“Reprinting the A6 directory of local shops is a key thing. If people don’t know what’s in the town, they won’t look for it and will go to Milton Keynes. We also need to make meanwhile space happen. It’s ridiculous the Riverside Centre is sitting empty.”

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade North councillor Kevin Pughe warned: “This is becoming political.

“The town council is doing a great job. We’ve actions in hand to promote the market, with a new strategy coming.

“Markets nationally are struggling. We’re taking all due action in a logical process. There’s a timetable for bringing the market strategy through various committees.

“I think this is creating panic when you need to reassure people. We’ll do our level best to keep it running. You’re exaggerating the crisis.”

Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade South councillor Shaun Roberts added: “I feel the frustration as well, but telling people something is dying isn’t particularly helpful.

“I get frustrated at CBC where everyone says ‘town centres are really important’, but it’s hard to find anything the local authority is doing to help them.

“Our town centre businesses aren’t competing with each other, not even with Milton Keynes, they’re fighting against Amazon with people just bringing things to their doorstep. We need to acknowledge how difficult this is.

“There are aspects of the motion that we can’t snap our fingers and make happen overnight. I’m interested in the directory of local shops and cafes that can be delivered sooner.”

The committee agreed to defer the motion until September, allowing it to be considered with the LLTC’s market strategy.

Councillor Leaman, who chairs the committee, also said in his email: “I know increasing footfall into the town centre is a priority for the town council.

“I agree much more could be done at CBC level and we’re keen to push ahead with High Street rental auctions in developing work on ‘meanwhile’ space.”