QVM Traders have been subjected to more than their fair share of
issues in recent weeks. First the rent review in the Dairy Hall, then the Music
Week relocation, the introduction of a new Sunday market in C shed, followed by
lease restrictions for SL licenses, a craft market in L shed that will impact
on other traders, and the list goes on.
All these measures have the potential to strain management/trader
relations and yet they seem to be moving along with a fair degree of
co-operation. That is not to say there are not some disgruntled traders and
some frustrated management staff but this would be expected in any business
upheaval. The saving grace is probably that many of these measures are aimed at
improving business levels and have the potential to work our market through the
toughest period of retailing in almost a century.
We don't wish to pontificate too much on this subject, nor to
poison the discussion with unwarranted optimism or negativism but let's just
say that both traders and management deserve some plaudits for the level of
co-operation that has been shown so far.