Calls to support traders during regeneration work

Market traders have asked for more support while a major regeneration project is ongoing.

They have told Coventry City Council they need help attracting customers during the £450m City Centre South work, and a 549-name petition has been presented to the council.

John Blundell, a councillor who supported the petition, said the building work meant shoppers either thought the market was closed or were unable to find it.

But the authority said a "huge amount of work" had been done to ensure the market could remain open and trade.

The Conservative councillor told the meeting: "I attended the rally in the precinct and there was almost overwhelming support and sympathy for the market traders who are undoubtedly facing a very difficult plight."

He said trade had "diminished quite considerably" and he felt it was the duty of the council to do whatever was possible "to make sure that they don't continue to go out of business".

Responding to a question on the same subject from Reform UK councillor Jackie Gardiner, cabinet member Jim O'Boyle said the authority had been "working with the market traders committee for a number of months now to discuss and agree ways of continuing to support the market".

The Labour councillor said support had included business rates relief, drop-in sessions with the council and the developer, improved signage and a marketing campaign.

But O'Boyle added: "The idea that the market was thriving brilliantly and trading magnificently prior to any regeneration is a fantasy."

He added: "I let officers do the proper work behind the scenes because ultimately we have to do things in a correct and proper way."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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