A traditional market, once described by a national newspaper as “Britain at its best,” could be scrapped due to a potential massive hike in the cost of running it.
Rochester’s popular monthly artisan market, which started eight years ago with a handful of stalls, is to be “paused” while organisers wait to see if they have to pay a business tax bill of up to £45,000.
Up until now, Rochester City Centre Forum, which manages it, has been exempt from paying the charge, but under the current Labour administration, it could be introduced.
Members of the non-political community group will decide on its future in April next year when the Valuation Office Agency rules whether it is liable for the tax.
And if it goes against the forum, the amount will be backdated to 2023, which Shane Waterman, the market’s general manager, says it cannot afford.
Mr Waterman, a forum member, said: “It’s a shame because it’s very popular, especially when we came out of lockdown, when people were being encouraged to use their markets. The champagne corks were popping.
“It started off with a handful of stalls, and now we can get up to 40.
“We were voted by the Daily Mail as having one of the best artisan markets in the country, describing it as ‘Britain at its best’ “.
The forum, comprising of local traders, residents, police, and council representatives, also has to fund temporary traffic orders to cover the setup and takedown, which costs £450 over 18 months.
Mr Waterman said this makes the market, which currently takes place on the second Saturday of the month, “not financially viable”
He added: “At the moment, it’s a big thunder cloud looming ahead of us.
“But we will be back. We have the kits, the gazebos and stalls.
“We are looking at private grounds in Rochester where the charges wouldn’t apply.”
Any profit from the independently-run market is ploughed back into enhancing the town as a tourist attraction, such as hanging baskets throughout the year and seating.
Cllr Harinder Mahil, Medway Council’s portfolio holder for economic and social regeneration and inward investment, said: “We understand it is a decision that has not been taken lightly by the organisers.
“As a council, we have worked closely with the Rochester City Centre Forum to support the launch and establishment of the market and have recently been working with them to improve its governance and regulation.
“Part of this work would have seen the introduction of highways and licensing fees, which we agreed to heavily discount to support the market through a period of transition.
“However, we understand that this, alongside a number of other factors, contributed to the committee’s decision to consider stop running the market.
“I would like to thank the organisers and traders who have brought the market to life over the years and appreciate the contributions they have made to the local community and economy.
“We remain committed to supporting local businesses, and working closely with the Rochester City Centre Forum should they choose to re-open the market, and in the meantime we would encourage any traders to get in touch with our markets team about potential other opportunities.”.
Godfrey George, manager of Baggins’ bookshop, was among those who helped to get the venture off the ground.
He said: “It’s a terrible shame. I was instrumental in starting it up, and it played a part in bringing the town to life.
“It showcased local artisan craftspeople and locally grown produce.”
The matter was discussed at the forum’s annual meeting last week on Tuesday, July 22.
The next market on Saturday, August 9 and the early Christmas markets on Saturdays, November 15 and 22, will go ahead as planned.
It runs from 1 am to 3 pm, and the usual array of collectables, crafts, paintings, jewellery, cakes and pastries will be on offer.
