Online petition launched as Inverness market traders face eviction
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AN ONLINE petition has been launched in a bid to prevent the eviction of 14 traders from the Inverness Victorian Market as it undergoes restoration.
Under plans still to be approved by Highland councillors, the traders would be issued with notices to quit early next year to enable an ambitious refurbishment of the building including the creation of a central event space and themed-zones.
They would be granted compensation based on six months’ rent, or financial equivalent, and would need to reapply for a new unit when the work – expected to take 10 months – is completed.
The proposals have sparked anger among the affected traders and supporters.
An online petition, which has already gained more than 1000 signatures, states the proposals are unfair and some traders cannot afford the rents elsewhere in the city centre.
It states: "If this goes ahead, many small local businesses will close their doors for the last time. The market promote the 'support your local small business' slogan but plan to put high end names and food chain in the place of these small businesses."
A statement by Highland Council said officers met traders this week to update them on progress of the plans which will be discussed by the Inverness area committee on November 21.
It said: "After two years of ongoing engagement which has included one-to-one consultations with each business affected, the businesses were informed at the meeting that if the project business case is approved by councillors at the City of Inverness area committee, market tenants would be given notice in early 2020 and granted compensation based on 6 months’ rent or the financial equivalent."
Businesses were also informed that advice and assistance in finding alternative temporary accommodation could be provided with the help of the council, Business Gateway, Inverness Business Improvement District and the Federation of Small Businesses.
The petition can be viewed at https://www.change.org/p/highland-council-save-the-victorian-market-businesses
