Bemusement arcade

PACKING up . . . Oldham Council have told stall holders in Hilton Arcade not to trade there anymore

THE Hilton Arcade could be looking emptier now market traders have been told to close down their stalls.

Nearly 100 customers have signed a petition against the decision to close down the market at the walk-through ginnel leading up to Tommyfield Market.

Stall holders say they were only given verbal notice three weeks ago, but Oldham Council said it told them last month they would need to close down. Last Wednesday was their last business day.

The council said it offered traders the opportunity to open their stalls outside the main indoor market or any other markets across the borough. Although some of them do trade outside Tommyfield Market once or twice a week, the rent would be a lot more for them and they say they would lose all their regular customers. The council also claims the market runs at a loss ­- something disputed by the traders.

Jack Singh (43), from Manchester, has been selling his novelty items at the arcade from Monday to Wednesday for three years. For two days he has a stall outside the Tommyfield Market, which costs him double the rent. In Oldham, overall, he has worked on the markets for 12 years.

"It works for us," he said. "Before we were here people would be here smoking and doing drugs. After we came we cleared it all out. People are nice here in Oldham.

"We're upset because we like it here. We like trading here. We like our customers.

He pays £15 rent every day he works there, regardless of whether he comes in or not, he insisted.

He said he could not understand how the council would be losing money because, he said, the stall holders set up their own tables and goods.

"They don't understand that we're going to lose money," he added. "It's going to end up with people doing drugs like last time."

His assistant Cara Sharp (16), who has just finished school, has got another job as a cleaner but works for Jack most days.

"I love it," she said. "I couldn't ask for anyone better to work with.People come here and like us because he's nice. I think there has been a lack of communication. I think the council need more meetings."

Jackie Stanley (72) comes from Bury to sell underwear and hosiery for three days at the Hilton Arcade. On Friday she sets up outside the indoor market and on Saturdays near Yorkshire Bank on the high street.

She said: "I've built up my clientèle. I've got regular customers. I felt sick when I found out. I couldn't believe it. The reason they're giving is because they say it's not paying. But we do all this ourselves, we set this all up.

"We could take the rent up to them if they're saying they have to pay somebody for it. We can give it to them on Saturday no problem.

"All our customers like us here. It's like a traditional little market. We're doing nobody any harm. We get passing trade here. People have got used to us here.

"It's just sad really, when you've done it for so long. The council have asked us to go up to the indoor market but people don't go up there. I have refused to go.

"If money is bothering them, then put the rent up. We've offered to do that. Or if they don't want us to double up we will move up, if it's going to hinder access.

"It's a big thing. We've built it up over years. I really don't want to go on another market."

One of Jack's regular customers is Lisa Edge (37), who only found out he would be closing the stall on the actual day.

She said: "I'm a bit upset. Jack is a good guy. I can always get things if I run out of anything. I get clips for my little girl. The socks here are cheap. Jack's always got the gadgets I need. It's got everything here."

Her friend Suzanne Taylor (40) signed the petition .

She said: "It's got everything you need here. Otherwise, I would have to go to Manchester. When you're a single parent it's not that easy."

"He's priceless," customer Carol Hardie (53) said about Jack. "The town can't do without him. He's got reasonable prices. He's always friendly. He's an absolute ray of sunshine this guy. I think it's pretty disgusting they're closing it down."

John Kershaw (74) comes down in his mobility scooter, so he could not understand how the place was inaccessible to customers.

"I can't remember how long I've been coming here, it's been ages," he said. "I've known Jack for years. I can't see why they want to close this down. It's not used for anything else except a walk through. What's the reason?

"If it wasn't making money then Jack wouldn't be here. It's silly. And if it's blocking access, then how can I get through with this?

"There's good service here and somewhere for people to go when the main market is closed. You can't get everything but you can get most things. If people keep closing these things down we're going to lose our identity. This is Oldham. This is what we do."

Councillor Fazlul Haque, deputy Cabinet member for economy and enterprise, said: "Last month we contacted traders and informed them that we would no longer be offering stalls in Hilton Arcade.

"Trading in the arcade was on a trial basis and our decision was made after we considered a range of issues.

"We've received complaints from the public and surrounding firms about pitches making the footpath unpassable. More seriously, fire escapes were being blocked and the arcade itself has been damaged.

"When officer time and costs were taken into account the market was also running at a loss and not providing value for money to taxpayers.

"We've let traders who moved to the arcade know they can move back to their original pitches on Oldham Market. We are working with any new traders to find them alternative pitches at one of our markets across the borough.

"Once traders have decided what they want to do and told their regular customers where they are going, we will end the stalls in the Hilton Arcade."