Inverness traders submit Victorian Market vision
Alternate plan put forward to improve fortunes following concerns of Highland Council "outsourcing"
Representatives of traders at Inverness Victorian Market have presented their business plan to Highland Council following the threat to outsource the administration.
The Council, acting for the Common Good fund, say they require a larger return from the market and traders now look to put forward proposals to reinvigorate the market in a bid to regain its relevance within the city centre of Inverness.
The representatives of the Victorian Market seek an open debate amongst the people of Inverness to also get their opinions for the Grade B-listed building.
Many of the concerns of the traders relate to high rates, low footfall and increasing empty units.
The Highland Council have pointed out that the Victorian Market requires specialist management to take it forward as a viable shopping outlet and traders in the main have said they have lost faith with the management of the units.
However retailers feel it would be easy for an outsourced administration to hike rates in order to increase the market's profitability, but this would merely increase the empty units.
John West has compiled the report, along with Bill Anderson, which has been submitted to Highland Council:-
Back in January council members agreed that they should consider setting up a stakeholder group including local councilors, businesses, traders and neighbouring traders.
They are also to consider options for the Inverness Common Good Fund to appoint a retail property in-house manager.
The Victorian Market is an asset of the Inverness Common Good Fund - managed by The Highland Council on behalf of the Trustees of the Common Good Fund. Recent events have been fraught, with the replacement of the market’s roof at costing just under one million pounds in 2012 and works planned for the Academy Street entrance will result in the property operating at a loss to the Common Good Fund.