Pub landlord slams council over "unfair competition" from Artisan market

Colin McKevitt, managing director of the Boardroom in Wilmslow, an independent, free-of-tie bar, says Wilmslow Artisan Market is damaging trade because stalls are serving food, beer and coffee in front of his premises.

The bar opened 19 months ago but McKevitt claims it has suffered ever since the 120-stall monthly market, which is held on every third Saturday, started last July.

“My prime Saturdays are at the end of the month. We estimate we’ve lost between £15,000 and £17,000 since the market [and Christmas fairs] have been running,” McKevitt said.

“There is an 80% drop in food sales when the market is on. We have tried to complain to the council but
it doesn’t seem to be interested in protecting us from unfair competition.”

Denise Valente, the market’s events organiser, confirmed that six traders supply ‘hot street food’ and two independent local breweries specialise in bottled beer.

She said: “Cheshire East Council recently carried out an independent survey of town-centre businesses, asking them how the market is affecting them.

“And 95% of the 124 businesses surveyed think the market is of benefit to the town and 69% want the market to remain on a Saturday and not move to a Sunday.

“As far as we are aware, all of the other cafés, restaurants, coffee shops, pubs
and hotels in Wilmslow are benefiting enormously from the increased footfall on market days.”

Feedback suggested that the market was a “welcome feature” of the town, the council said.

A spokesman added: “If businesses feel disadvantaged by the market, then they should let Wilmslow Business Group know in the first instance.”