IS THERE A deliberate policy to try to close our market down?

On Monday, I went to the market and only half the stalls were being used.

There is a saying: use it or lose it.

In other countries the market is a tourist attraction and it should be in York.

We should be proud of our market and the staff, who, in all weathers, keep it going.

May I suggest instead of using the site that we have now, pedestrianise Blake Street and Davygate and have the market down there or use the old Boots as an indoor market.

Whatever the solution, we need one otherwise we will end up without a market which would be a great loss to York.

Robert D Greaves, Alder Way, New Earswick, York.

A City of York Council spokesperson said: “The council is aware of the problems currently being experienced by the markets industry and is already exploring options to address them.

“This time of year is traditionally poor for market trading, all over the country.

“In York, the council’s markets section is set to launch a ‘love your market’ campaign, whereby for the month of February all the traders who attend will only have to pay £5 for a stall (about a quarter their normal fee), encouraging traders to attend, or take extra stalls, or even extra days, to maximise Newgate Market’s offerings to the customer. “Furthermore, the proposed new charge structure for the new financial year starting in April is being put to councillors soon, and includes a number of measures designed to further help the traders in Newgate. These range from a number of stall fee reductions, a new ‘zonal’ charging system based on supply and demand, and the removal of some ‘dead’ stalls to open-up a new aisle and trading area.

“Officers will also be working closely with the traders in 2009 to examine new initiatives that would help trader and customer alike.”