Private firm running town's markets call on Doncaster Council for £910k bailout

A private firm who runs markets across Doncaster has requested a bailout of nearly £1 million just over a year after they took over control from the council.
By George Torr, Local Democracy Reporter
Published 27th Aug 2020, 08:47 BST
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Cabinet members are expected to subsidise Essex-based Markets Asset Management (MAM) to the tune of £910,000 until March 2022.

The Covid-19 pandemic and the inevitable downturn of market footfall during the peak of lockdown is being attributed to the call for financial assistance.

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Council bosses said without financial support and investment, it is ‘highly unlikely’ that MAM will be able to continue as a business entity and therefore the service currently provided by them will cease.

A busy Doncaster Market pictured in June this year, after it reopened. Picture: Chris EtchellsA busy Doncaster Market pictured in June this year, after it reopened. Picture: Chris Etchells
A busy Doncaster Market pictured in June this year, after it reopened. Picture: Chris Etchells

Following the successful tender in 2019, MAM proposed significant investment of £6.2m over the 25-year contract period, which included £2.3m of this to be spent in the first five years of the tenure.

At present, MAM are ‘actively seeking a new investment partner’ but council bosses say it is ‘very unlikely’ that investment is anywhere near the planned scale which will happen within the next three years.

Council bosses predict a reduction in the number of traders across both Doncaster and Mexborough markets after allocation of the government business grants and opportunities for retirement/alternative employment take up over the next uncertain year.

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The market traders have been eligible and received Business Support Grants due to Covid-19.

Drew Oxley, head of trading services at DMBC, said: “This proposal would see the markets management model maximising its position to develop opportunities, contributing to create jobs, growth and revenue through the generation of new small businesses and rents.

“These businesses feed into the high street and larger premises as they develop from embryonic lifestyle and ideas into real business outcomes.

“The borough needs to seize the opportunity on the current market position, as there has been a change in our citizens shopping habits due to Covid-19 where market patronage has strengthened with weekly footfall in early July 2020 of an average of 47,000 people.”

Mayor Jones and her cabinet are expected to sign off on the scheme at a meeting on September 1.

Related topics:Doncaster CouncilDoncasterEssexCovid-19