Portadown market traders ‘insulted’ at lack of consultation by Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council

They had been trading in the large covered market in William Street but due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a dispute with Portadown 2000 which ran that market, the traders moved to an outdoor location in William Street and then to Thomas Street.

Since the ‘Service Level Agreement’ with Portadown 2000 to run the market ended, the council has been working on contracting new management for the market.

The Council plans on using part of the car park at Magowan West for the new market but traders who are currently in Thomas Street prefer a covered market option.

Portadown 2000 is a private company and owns the building which houses the historic covered market in William Street.

Last week it transpired that five expressions of interest were received from parties interested in operating and managing a market. However, after a public consultation and the advertisement of a tender in May/June, no tenders were received as part of the procurement process.

During that committee meeting, Councillor Lavelle McIlwrath asked if Council had consulted with the former market’s traders.

The Council’s head of regeneration, Nicola Wilson said Council has had a ‘busy summer’ talking to traders and businesses through its consultation hub but had not been involved in direct consultation with the previous market’s traders.

“In relation to the consultation with the existing market traders, we have not done that as we did not think it was an appropriate thing to do,” said Ms Wilson.

“They are looking for a covered market space and that is not something we are going to be able to provide for them.

“We have spoken to a lot of the town’s traders and a lot of the traders along Woodhouse Street as well to clarify what we really want.

“We will soon be in a position to go out with a tender that is