e ast s treet m arket traders protest against above-inflation fee increases

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ExcluSivE

By Herbie Russell herbie@southwarknews.co.uk

East strEEt Market traders have protested outside southwark Council’s Tooley Street offices over “unaffordable” fee increases.

Southwark Council announced the new pitch charges earlier this month, explaining that inflation “running at over 10 per cent” had prompted the unprecedented price hike.

But with some of the Walworth traders facing fee increases of 28 per cent, many say the increases are unfair and disproportionate.

loses out.” not letting us work, they’re closing all the doors to us. They leave us no choice!” which has temporarily reduced fees for traders.

Last year, non-produce stalls paid £312 per pitch per month but from April this will rise to £343.20, and from £365 to £401.50 for fruit and veg stalls.

Fruit and veg traders are asked to pay more because they supposedly produce more rubbish - although many traders, even those who don’t sell produce, dispute this.

With UK energy bills expected to rise by 20 per cent in 2023, Southwark Council will also charge traders extra for energy usage for the first time.

Produce traders using electricity will pay a 20 per cent surcharge on their pitch fee, while non-produce traders will pay just 10 per cent.

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Tina Daley, 65, who has run a fashion stall for forty years, said: “We can’t sell any cheaper and the council wants more money.

“The community relies on the market’s existence because it’s competition to the likes of Morrison’s who could hike up their prices if we stop.

“If the market doesn’t exist it’s the consumers that lose out and the community

Many fruit and veg traders use three pitches, which will mean total monthly payments of over £1,300 for them from April.

So for fruit and veg traders using three pitches and electricity, that’s a total fee increase of 28 per cent, way above UK inflation - estimated at 9.2 per cent in December.

Mohammed Milbory, who has sold fruit and veg on East Street since 1987, said: “They’re

Children’s clothing trader Monsurat Olaiya, 49, said there had been a lack of consultation over fee increases.

It’s the latest challenge for a market that, founded in 1880, has steadily declined in recent years.

Tina said in its heyday, the market had roughly 260 traders, but that this has now fallen to 100.

Traders are urging Southwark Council to copy Hackney Council, also Labour-held,

A Hackney Council spokesperson said it had introduced a 25 per cent decrease in fees and charges for the first few months of 2023 to help soften the blow of increased wholesale prices.

Many of the traders believe the council should reduce charges to attract new traders to unoccupied pitches, and give the market a much-needed boost.

Southwark Council has been approached for comment.

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