There’s a better solution to Market relocation – say Newbury Town Council.

Newbury Town Council is calling a Public Meeting on Tuesday 21 November 2006 to discuss the relocation of the Thursday and Saturday markets from Northbrook Street back to the Market Place after the works there have finally finished. This was requested to happen by West Berkshire Council from 23 November 2006, but has been pushed back to 30 November 2006.

“The markets’ move to Northbrook Street have been very favourably received by market customers, market traders and shopkeepers”, says Council Leader Ian Grose (Lib Dem, Northcroft), “and the decision by West Berkshire Council to force the markets to move back without listening to proper discussion is a strange one that ought to be opened up to consideration by the citizens of the town.”

“Newbury’s Town Council, elected by Newbury’s residents, thinks that West Berkshire Council’s approach to the market relocation ought to be accountable to the public. The Town Council is very disappointed with the erratic, high-handed and somewhat arrogant approach adopted by the administration at West Berkshire Council. They’ve changed the dates of the move back at very short notice, and haven’t even allowed Newbury’s citizens to comment on whether they want it to happen or not.”

At the public meeting, the Town Council will be presenting a better solution to the market relocation, which is both safer and more responsive to the needs of the customers and traders of the markets. This proposal will be put to the public for discussion, which will enable Newbury’s citizens to have a say in how their market will operate.

Representatives of West Berks Council, the market traders and other organisations have been invited to attend and be available to answer questions.

The invitation to attend is open to all interested in the future of the market in the town centre. The meeting starts at 7:30 pm in the Town Hall, and light refreshments will be available.