MORE than £200,000 could be invested in Wrexham’s markets.
It follows a rallying cry by traders who packed a Wrexham Council meeting where the future of the People’s, Butchers’ and General Markets came under the spotlight.
Employment, business and investment scrutiny committee members were last night asked to consider a number of options, including the closure of the century-old General Market, or investment.
Members voted in principle to retain all three markets after an impassioned plea by traders and to increase the annual repair and maintenance budget by £110,000 to £227,000 for 2013-14. They also agreed an improvement in market management would be a matter of urgency.
Butchers’ Market trader Mike Evans said: “We’re in desperate need of investment. We need leadership.”
General Market trader Rachel Prince added: “We are the smallest of the three markets but it is a beautiful Victorian building.
“We are a really happy family, but we have been left in disrepair.
“It hasn’t been decorated or cleaned properly for years. I think markets can thrive for another 100 years.”
Llay councillor Malcolm Taylor: “A lick of paint will make all the difference in the world, but we have to start with management. We mustn’t lose our markets.”
Gresford East and West Cllr Andrew Bailey called for better promotion and suggested maps at the bus and train stations. Town centre manager Isobel Garner said these would be in place by April.
There are more than 100 stalls within the three markets, but the number has fallen by 20 per cent since 2007.
Members’ preferred options will be put to the executive board for approval.