One of the best-known stalls on Ipswich market has broken ranks and moved back to its former site on the town’s Cornhill after its customers could not find it in Queen Street.
At the start of the third week since contractors moved on to the Cornhill itself, Foxy’s Food stall returned to its previous pitch near the Lloyds Avenue arch.
However by lunchtime they were back at their new site in Queen Street – forced out to move by borough officials who said they were not prepared to discuss issues with the new site until they had moved back.
Melanie Pozo, who runs the stall with her husband Jess, said they made the move as a protest because it was impossible to trade in Queen Street.
She said their takings had plummeted since the move – and unless they took drastic action they would be forced to leave the market where they had operated for nine years.
She said: “We have tried operating in Queen Street, but no one is going there. Takings are down 62%. We cannot survive that kind of a hit. We had to do something to make our point and get more business.”
As soon as they started trading on Tuesday morning people they had not seen for the last two weeks had returned – saying they thought the stall had moved out of town.
Mrs Pozo said: “January are February are always difficult months on the market because people don’t want to sit around outside – but moving to Queen Street has been really difficult.”
However the council was being defiant following their decision to move back to the Cornhill area – and was making few clear promises about what could be done to help the Queen Street traders.
A statement from the council said: “We are aware that one trader has taken it upon themselves to breach the market rules and set up under Lloyd’s arch where they are not permitted to trade.
“The Council will take all necessary steps to resolve this matter and continues to support all market traders trading from their new designated pitches in Princes Street and Queens Street.”
There were only three food stalls set up in Queen Street on Tuesday – last week traders were saying they would be unable to continue beyond the end of this month because there was nothing to persuade shoppers to visit them at their new site. The council has said it hopes trade will improve when spring arrives and more people want to eat outside.
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