Anger over market ‘freebie’ for sales teams (From York Press)

Anger over market ‘freebie’ for sales teams

8:54am Tuesday 26th February 2013 in News

A NORTH YORKSHIRE council could be missing out on extra income, as it does not charge companies for using its market place through the week.

Recently, sales teams have regulrarly set up stalls in Selby marketplace throughout the week to attract passing foot trade, with companies including satellite broadcaster Sky among the teams.

Selby Town and District Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright said: “In these hard times you would have thought that when a large commercial organisation such as Sky wanted to use council premises to sell their goods, you would have thought the council would charge them? Well, apparently not.

“On a Monday, Selby Town Council charges as if it was market stall, but the rest of the week its a freebie from Selby District Council.

“Now I know it won’t be a lot of money, maybe £100, but it would be better in Selby District Council coffers rather than Sky’s.”

A spokesman for Selby District Council said the bookings for the market place were arranged by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT), but he understood the Sky traders did not pay for their spot apart from Mondays, when they did provide a contribution to the town council.

A spokesman for WLCT said: “We manage Market Place on behalf of Selby District Council. This small space is free for community groups or companies who wish to book it for events or promotions. The Monday Market is managed by Selby Town Council.”