A BROMSGROVE councillor is urging the district council to take control of the town centre market in a bid to make it ‘flourishing and financially viable’.
Labour Coun Michael Thompson has called for an emergency motion at tomorrow’s full council meeting (Wednesday) for the council to operate the market directly, rather than seek an alternative provider and outsource.
Current operators, CJ Events Warwickshire, will end its partnership with the council in June after two years of running weekly markets on Tuesdays and Saturdays and themed markets and events.
Speaking to The Standard, Jamie Walker from CJ Events said whilst some events were successful others did not go as well as expected, meaning it wasn’t ‘financially viable’.
Bromsgrove District Council is currently seeking an experienced operator to take over and interested parties have been urged to submit their application from March.
Coun Thompson said: “I believe in the people and businesses of Bromsgrove and I believe the town centre can and should support a flourishing and financially viable market.
“The council has adopted a plan that intends to make Bromsgrove a centre for enterprise and business.
“I am asking the council to lead by example in the very heart of the town.
“With councillors from all sides, and officers, working together, surely we can give businesses and customers a better deal by investing our own expertise into running the town centre, rather than outsourcing.”
The motion will be put forward at the full council meeting tomorrow (Wednesday).