Sutton traders fear the wurst over German market (From Streatham Guardian)

Sutton traders fear the wurst over German market

8:27pm Wednesday 28th November 2007

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Sutton Council has been accused of surrendering to a German invasion of market traders who are due to take over a plot wanted by a home guard of stallholders.

Evelyn Baum, 69, and her 70-year-old husband Harry have run a jewellery stall in Sutton market for 25 years. They said they were shocked to discover a crack unit of overseas sellers appear suddenly in the town centre. Never in the field of market traders did an event cause so much upset to so many.

“We fought twice to prevent being invaded and now we have been invaded by invitation.”

Councillor David Pickles, UKIP councillor for Belmont

"We have asked repeatedly for the spot," a dejected Mrs Baum said, "but have been told we can't trade up there on grounds of health and safety. It just seems so unfair, we are out there 52 weeks a year in all weathers.

"It has nothing to do with race, it has to do with why they have been allowed the spot when we were refused. It seems the rules have changed.

"The German market is quite welcome, it livens up the place but we don't understand why it wasn't put down the other end. The move has caused a lot of bad feeling."

Disgruntled traders said they were angered because their German counterparts will enjoy prime position in the town centre until December 22, taking over the busiest trading period of the year.

Councillor David Pickles, UKIP councillor for Belmont, is vowing to fight the move in the High Street and in the council chamber.

He branded the move "disgraceful" and said: "Our traders who are there day in day out all year round are being denied the choice by the council of being in what they consider a prime location at the busiest time of the year.

"What they could earn during December would keep them going during the lean months of January and February, and yet in its wisdom, this council sees fit to offer the best pitches to a European market. No wonder the market traders are seething.

"We fought twice to prevent being invaded and now we have been invaded by invitation."

A spokesman for the council said the decision to host markets and events was part of the town centre management's ambition to liven up the High Street.

He said: "The events and markets promoted at this site make a positive contribution to the local economy because they increase visitors to the High Street and boosts trade, and also gives shoppers more choice.

"Sutton is only one of very few London boroughs with a German market, which enhances our competitiveness as a visitor destination."

The German Market runs from today until Saturday, December 22, and sells everything from Bavarian beers to meats and hand-crafted gifts.

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