Trader's call for meeting with Wigan Council bosses to discuss rent reduction

James Morley, who runs Gremlin Games on Leigh’s indoor market, feels town hall bosses are not listening to traders asking for support.

They want a phased rent reduction to help them deal with the drop in custom due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Leigh MP James Grundy has written to council’s chief executive Alison McKenzie-Folan asking for a temporary 50 per cent cut in rent. But bosses say they cannot afford it.

Becca Heron, director of economy and skills at the council, told Mr Morley that while she would meet him to discuss ways to increase footfall, there was “little value” in meeting to discuss a rent reduction.

Mr Morley said: “We know people are struggling, but being fobbed off and not listened to time and time again is more than annoying.”

He said around 40 per cent of customers have not yet returned since the market reopened seven weeks ago. Stalls are closing early through lack of custom and traders are worried about survival. The situation is so serious that they could even consider a rent strike, he said.

Mr Morley said: “We are only asking for a bit of fairness. We want the rent to reflect the downturn in trade. Once back to normal, they can put the rent back to normal.”

Mr Grundy said: “Since reopening, many traders say footfall has halved, with four businesses already leaving. Others could follow, with many now struggling to meet the council rent charges. This is why I am calling on Wigan Council to implement a temporary 50 per cent reduction to help save this vital asset and protect jobs.

“The council has been given an extra £3m to help the local community recover from Covid-19, with total funding coming to over £20m, and I believe that supporting local businesses plays a very big part in our local recovery from this pandemic.”

But Ms Heron said: “From the outset we have looked to support our market traders by suspending rent charges while they have been unable to trade and ensuring grants they are entitled to are swiftly distributed. The council is forecasting an in-year shortfall of more than £40m for 2020-21 due to the implications of the pandemic and is therefore not in a position to offer additional financial support, however, we are in regular contact with our trader representatives and are discussing how we can help them in other ways at this time.”