Pressure to delay decision on market's future
BBCA decision on the fate of a market hall could be delayed after pressure from concerned business owners and MPs.
Traders at Stockton Shambles said having to move could mean "the end of the road" after they were notified that Stockton Council's cabinet was due to vote on proposals to market the hall as a "food and beverage opportunity".
Matt Vickers, Conservative MP for Stockton West, raised the issue in the Commons on Tuesday claiming it was an "absolute disgrace".
Councillor Richard Eglington, cabinet member for regeneration, said he would recommend the decision on Thursday be delayed until "thorough engagement" had taken place.
Vickers said the council's proposal was "a shameful betrayal" of hard-working businesses who had kept the high street alive, according to the Local Democracy Reporting service.
"To be told out of the blue that they are being thrown out of their premises, with barely a day's notice of the meeting, is an absolute disgrace," he said.
'Unclear future'
Chris McDonald, Labour MP for Stockton North, has also written to council leader Lisa Evans, requesting a "pause and review".
He said the issue had "rightly" become emotive, with a "significant" toll on business owners.
"These are businesses who've served our town loyally through tough years," he said.
"Many of them feel anxious about what comes next and, in several cases, unclear on whether they have any real future in the town centre at all."
The proposal was set to be considered with a raft of other plans for the town and the council said it remained committed to the regeneration of the area.
The authority added that it would provide "tailored support" to the six affected traders to explore relocation options and help develop their business model.
Eglington said: "We appreciate the uncertainty that the businesses will be feeling at the moment but we want to reassure them that there is plenty of time for us to work constructively together and help them develop plans for the future."