Organisers of the Helston Country Market have revealed that they will continue to trade at a different location in the town following a rent increase at its previous base.
From June 2, the market will trade from their new base at Helston Methodist Church between 9am until 12pm with their last day of trade at the Guildhall next Friday, May 25.
The organisers of Helston Country Market have praised ‘the beautiful human’ Rev Danny Reed who offered the 65-year-old market the chance to continue to trade.
This afternoon (Friday, May 19) the market posted on its Facebook page to break the good news to its followers and to thank the community for its support.
It said: “Firstly, we would like to thank you for all your support over the last few weeks.
“Secondly, as word is now getting out, we have been given an amazing opportunity by the beautiful human that is the Rev Danny Reed, to move into the chapel on a Friday morning.
“So from the 2nd of June we shall be in the chapel from 9am til 12pm at the bottom of Coinagehall Street with as many of our regular tables as possible. The only difference is that you will have to pay each table individually instead of at a central till.
“So please, for our new venture, we ask you to be patient and be kind while we settle in, and please support us with your feet, not just a keyboard."
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Organisers of the market had previously announced with a ‘heavy heart’ that they were to close after 65 years after a decision was made by the council to increase its rent by over £140% - they claimed without consultation or negotiation, making it impossible for them to carry on.
However, Helston Town Council denied the market’s version of events and said it has been supportive, allowing traders to rent its room for half price since the end of 2020 to help cope with the effects of Covid and lockdown.
The council said the market was offered the opportunity to meet to discuss the new rental costs but declined.
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Town clerk Pamela Lavelle said previously: “Helston Town Council reviewed and simplified their room hire charges in March 2023. This was the first change to our commercial hire charge since before 2004. Members of the task and finish group took the increase in energy charges amongst other considerations into account when making their recommendation. Their conclusion was that the previous charges did not cover the cost of letting the rooms.
“There is now one hourly rate of £14.40 (including VAT) for the hire of either room. These charges are comparable to other hire charges in Helston.
“In November 2020 the town council agreed to reduce the hire charge for Helston Country Market to half price due to the impact of Covid. From that time until the end of April 2023 Helston Country Market had been paying £18 a week for room hire instead of the full commercial rate (at that time) of £36.
“Helston Country Market was offered a choice of dates to meet with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to discuss the matter, they were also advised to write to the council as a whole setting out their situation. They declined to take either course of action."
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