Dear Editor,
It is with great sadness that I read that Newton Aycliffe market is to close. I used to work on this market until 5 years ago when our trailer and stock was stolen. I continued working on the market as secretary for the traders cooperative for a while after this and I saw the stalls go one by one.
This market could have been really good had it not been for the strict rules set down by town centre management and the council. Traders vans and cars were not allowed to drive on and off the town centre but other cars and vans were allowed.
This meant that all traders had to barrow their goods on and off the market. This put a lot of would-be traders off standing on this market. Then there was the rule that the market could not have a tea or burger van and most markets have these. This was due to no large trailers or caravans being allowed on the market, strange how the continental markets were allowed to bring there’s on. Also some of the shops objected to the market having a burger van. When the modernisation of the town centre started it was the end! The market was moved around from place to place until some people did not know where the market was any more.
Then when the work was completed what was left of the market was stuck up in a corner as if it was no longer part of the town centre.
When I worked on the market the council always tried to help, we often had meetings  and they did what they could but Freshwater own the town centre, therefore they have the final word.
I believe they have wanted rid of the market for some time now and this has been the perfect opportunity for them to do so.
Helen Cox.