A FORMER Mayor of Wellington has said that some traders are “really struggling” to keep going in the ongoing problematic economic conditions.

Wellington Town Council is looking at inviting street market traders to come into the town centre on Wednesdays and Saturdays at £45 a time to boost offerings for shoppers and visitors.

But there was a difference of opinion on certain aspects of the proposed plan put forward by the council’s economic development committee.

Cllr Marcus Barr, speaking at the town council’s full monthly meeting on April 7, said he was concerned that introducing street traders into the town could have dire consequences on those businesses which are here permanently and have to pay out a lot of money on rent, rates and wages.

“A lot of shops are really struggling with everything they have to pay out for and here we are looking at having stalls in the town centre for £45,” he said. “It will be taking business away from our existing businesses.”

It had been proposed by the council’s economic development committee about applying for a street trading consent permit for stallholders and food vans to set up shop on pavement space such as on the corner of Fore Street and South Street and the High Street on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 2.30pm.

Although Cllr Barr said that the opening months of the year were always difficult for shops and was concerned about their ongoing future, he suggested that perhaps street traders could be invited into the town in June, July and August on a trial basis.

Cllr Justin Cole said: “We should test this out and see what happens.”

It had also been proposed that community groups and charitable organisations wanting a stall would have to pay a £45 deposit to reserve a place which would be refunded on attendance.

But Cllr Cole added: “I know this sounds a bit bah-humbug, but I think we should also be charging charities £45 a pitch as well.”

The idea will go back to the council’s economic development committee to be discussed again.

Cllr John Thorne said: “This is all about trying to make our town more vibrant. It might not be so favourable for current businesses, but it’s about giving it a go – suck it and see.”

Cllr Mark Lithgow added: “We should be supporting this.”

It was agreed that members of the council’s economic development committee should look at the proposals again at a future meeting.

Councillors said the committee should reconsider charging for charities, to consider recommending a trial period for stallholders and to develop “performance measures” against which the success of the trial could be assessed.

Gaining street trading consent permission from Somerset Council would cost the town council £531 for the year, but would be quickly recouped through charging £45 a pitch for a stallholder.

Money raised from stallholders would go towards the costs of town centre projects such as hanging baskets and planting and the maintenance of bus shelters.