MP and councillors row over Sutton market rent dispute

MP Lee Anderson says stall holders at Sutton market have been charged rent despite being assured by the leader of the council that the rent for the indoor market would not have to be paid for three months due to covid.

But Ashfield District Council chiefs say all stallholders had now received a Government grant of £10,000 to enable them to pay the rent they say was simply deferred.

The MP said: “Sutton Market traders face an uncertain future due to Ashfield District Council demanding three months rent that had been written off.

“Around the 22/23rd March 2020, the Council Leader, Cllr Jason Zadrozny met with them, and stated quite clearly in front of at least 12 stall holders that the rent for the indoor market stalls would not have to be paid for three months due to Covid.”

The market is now back fully open for business following the pandemic lockdown.

Last week, all stall holders received a letter stating that they must start paying back their rent from March of this year.

Mr Anderson added: “This is clearly a breach of what they were promised. Obviously, the understanding of stall holders who have had to destroy stock, for various reasons from “sell by dates” to calendar events that never happened, on top of which, the market was completely closed for three months except food stalls.

“It would be interesting to know if any of the regular “outdoor” market traders in any of our towns, have been charged, and their rent back dated to March 2020 whilst not being able to trade.

“How can Ashfield DC charge for rent, when the market was closed? “

He said any funds received as discretionary grants was money made available from Central Government, and not from the account of Ashfield DC.

He added: “Surely, the three months “grace” should be honoured by the Leader of the Council as some stall holders would have to close down if they have to pay the amount being demanded. Please don’t forget, they had only just started to get back on their feet after the refurbishment programme."

Councillor David Martin, Cabinet Member for Streets, Parks & Town Centres, at Ashfield District Council said: “Back in March, at the start of lockdown we offered all the traders at Idlewells Indoor Market a deferral on their rents until we knew what was happening. We have supported all the traders in accessing the £10,000 Government grants that were available to businesses that pay little or no business rates. These were designed to help traders support their business, including paying rent.

“We haven’t charged rent for the past four months until everyone got the full £10,000 grant. Traders have until March 2021 to pay the deferred rent. We offer support to all our traders and we will continue to do this on a case by case basis going forward. Idlewells market is a thriving shopping hub, and we will work with traders to ensure that the market continues to thrive in the future.”

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