Louth has a thriving market. Hull has Trinity Market. Lincoln a shabby, run down, badly managed Central Market.
When think it could not get any worse, beginning of last month dysfunctional Lincoln City Council responsible for the appalling state of the market kicked out on a whim the fruit and vegetable stall that accounted for at least 80% of the market footfall. The few remaining traders saw what little business there was collapse overnight.
End of last month, the outside fruit and vegetable stall relocated to the vacated pitch. If it did not generate footfall for the market when located outside the doors to the market it was highly unlikely to generate footfall for the market when it moved by a few feet. But who can comprehend the perverse mindset of worthless jobsworths? And so it has proved to be, not a jot of difference. From empty space to a bored stallholder staring into space.
It is now a case of spot the customer.
The kicked out stall, always busy, exceptionally busy on a Saturday.
Mid-week, not a single customer at the relocated stall, Saturday a solitary customer looking lost.
The local community is angry at the treatment of their regular stall and will not buy from the relocated stall. Poor quality produce, rudeness, and reports of short-changing does not help.
What dirty little backroom deal was cooked up by the local council? When did discussions start? What rent is being paid? This scandal will not go away. Local media needs to do some digging, fire off Freedom of Information requests. A Judicial Review would be more than justified.
A deafening silence from local councillors. Maybe they are more concerned not putting at risk their nice little earner from the local coop.
The local community has three options
- subscribe to S Sharpe and daughter veg box scheme visit their farm shop once it is open
- walk up Steep Hill to Fresh From The Fields in Bailgate hidden behind Curtis
- support the quality fruit and veg stall Nathan Willows Fresh Produce which has recently opened in Lincoln Central Market
If do not wish to walk up Steep Hill, pick up the Walk and Ride bus from The Stonebow and alight at Lincoln Cathedral or Bailgate.
Steve and Beth established their veg box scheme during the height of coronavirus pandemic for people who were housebound. They should have received a Civic Award. Instead kicked out by council bully boys for daring to criticise mismanagement and appalling state of Lincoln Central Market.
Please sign the on-line petition objecting to the eviction.
If live in Lincoln please contact your local councillors and local Member of Parliament Karl McCartney and ask them to investigate the eviction, and at the very least go and visit the farm and talk to the former stallholders, talk to customers and check for themselves the facts not rely on officials running a vindictive vendetta for criticism of a badly run market.
Tags: Lincoln, Lincoln Central Market
Keithpp's Blog 
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