A PRIVATE company is being called in to manage the food court at Barnsley’s new flagship Glass Works shops and leisure complex.
It comes as council officials have revealed that only three of the ten outlets in the food court have been filled just a couple of months before its opening in the autumn.
The development comes two weeks ahead of the opening of the first phase of the complex, the meat and fish market, where existing traders believe the hall will be no more than two thirds occupied when it opens on September 1.
A spokesman for National Market Traders Federation Barnsley Group says they were told of the council’s intentions to bring in outside management for the food hall, to be called Market Kitchen, at a meeting.
At that time they were also told only three outlets so far have tenants, all of which are traditional cafes which operate in the old market complex.
However, earlier this year the council said it also wanted a more varied choice of food outlets in the market.
No detail was given to federation members about the reasons for calling in a management company, due to take over in six months, at the meeting, and Barnsley Group spokesman Keiron Knight said he believed it was a new company with no track record of success in this area.
“We don’t understand why they are being used, apparently without it being put out to tender. Surely that would be the best way to ensure value for the taxpayer?” he said.
Traders were told that under the terms of the deal, the company will have a 15-year lease and the Chronicle understands it is a firm which has similar operation in a market in Fulham.
The Market Kitchen will be on the first floor of the complex, with seating for up to 500, and a terrace overlooking Barnsley’s new town square.
The new meat and fish market opens on September 1, with several existing traders including butchers and fishmongers making the move.
But Stuart Barrow, who has traded there for 40 years will serve his last customers on Wednesday August 29 because he says he cannot afford the new charges, which would see his monthly rent increase from the current £416 to £1,750 for a similar sized stall.
His wife Melony has spent 32 years on the stall and said there had even been confusion about when they had to move out.
“We were told we could still trade on the Saturday the new market opened and told our customers. Then we found out we couldn’t. We had bought Prosecco for our Saturday customers but now won’t be able to serve them.
“I am just starting to be able to talk about it, I cried because I am so sad.”
Coun Roy Miller said: “We are currently in discussions with a major operator in this sector, but with many details and options still to be finalised, we are not currently in a position to release any further information about Market Kitchen at this stage.
“However, we remain extremely confident that Market Kitchen has the potential to be a major food destination for Barnsley residents and customers in the borough. We believe this will provide a major boost for the market and our town centre.
“We look forward to sharing the plans in due course.”
