A row has erupted between traders and town councillors after Market Drayton’s street market closed early on Wednesday because of the World Cup.
Vans moved onto Cheshire Street just after 1pm as traders began to close down, with most having cleared their stalls before England played Slovenia at 3pm.
The chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade called the situation a ‘fiasco,’ but traders and some shoppers defended the move.
Stallholder Roger Lewis said: “Trade just goes dead when you get to 3pm and the people disappear.
“There’s no point staying when there are no people and it’s a day when common sense should prevail.”
Adrian Meredith from House of Carpets in Cheshire Street, said: “Most places were closing early and the people expected it.
“I think it’s silly for us to be criticised because the World Cup is a really important event that the whole country is interested in.
“My message to the councillors is they should get with it, support the England team and go with the majority of the people.”
Shopper Gill Goldstraw from Eccleshall said: “The traders are here every week and the World Cup is something that only happens once every four years, so let them get off and cheer England on.”
Another shopper, Paul Hickman from Market Drayton, said: “I’m not a football fan myself but the market is here every Wednesday, so it’s not a problem if the traders want to close early and watch England.”
But Chamber of Trade chairman Councillor Roy Aldcroft has complained to Shropshire Council about the street market’s early closure.
He said: “I’m just really surprised that nobody had the decency to inform either the town council, our Shropshire councillors in Market Drayton or the chamber of trade that the market was closing early.
“There were people still arriving at the market after 2pm and to have no notices up about the market’s early closure is poor planning on the part of whoever organised this fiasco.”
Shropshire Council member for Market Drayton Councillor Roger Hughes said: “It was my understanding that the street market was allowed to close early at the request of several of the stallholders in order that they could watch the England match.
“I find their attitude quite appalling and it’s my opinion that the operation of the market should be reviewed urgently.”
Eileen Molloy, head of estates at Shropshire Council, said: “We are aware of concerns from some people about the running of the market, and are in discussion with the town council about the best way forward.”
By Winston Brown
