MP Fights to Free Markets

Local MP, Andrew Robathan, has called an adjournment debate at the close of business around 7 O’clock this evening (8th October 2008) to fight for freer markets in Leicestershire. At issue is Leicester City Council’s claim that they have a market charter from the 12th Century which gives them the right to regulate markets within 6 and 2/3 miles from the centre of Leicester. Although there is no written evidence of this ancient agreement, the City Council not only argues that it exists, but they have the legal obligation to uphold it. One of the main victims of this archaic dispute is the Blaby Farmers Market – not only has it had to fight to even be allowed to be held once a month, but it also has to pay a charge of £300 per day to Leicester City Council purely for the right to hold the market. Mr Robathan commented “This is an absolutely outrageous situation. Leicester City Council is operating a restrictive practice based on a charter which exists only in folklore. What possible right can the Council have to levy a charge of £300 on a farmers’ market which is not even in the City of Leicester and which is now hovering on the brink of being financially unviable as a result? Even more indefensible is the fact that charity stalls – such as the Table Top sale for the Blaby & District Social Centre – have to pay a fee of £20 per day to the City Council. Given that the stall raises £60 – 80 per day through the generosity and sheer hard work of Blaby people it seems appalling that a third of it has to be paid to the City Council rather than to the good cause for which it is raising money.”

Andrew  Robathan will argue in his adjournment debate that this restrictive practice must cease. He said “Leicester City has an excellent market which should be supported and encouraged – but not by squashing a market outside the City in a different town. Surely we need to encourage local farmers’ markets and the sale of food locally, thereby cutting food miles and reducing traffic congestion. Let’s also stop this ridiculous situation whereby the City Council is taking up to a third of the money donated to charity stalls for local causes.”     
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