A market-trader fears she may have to close her business for good as she is still being charged rent but unable to earn any income.
Sue Hallam has run her 'Buttons N Bobbins' stall at the Victoria Centre Market in Nottingham with her daughter for around four years.
Popular with students, lockdown hit her fabrics and crafts business hard as she has not been able to trade for three months.
But she is still being charged rent for her market plot - which is being backdated and will still need to be paid when reopened - leaving her owing the city council thousands in rent, she says.
Sue fears if there is no leeway from the local authority she may have to close her business for good.
The 63-year-old of Carlton told Nottinghamshire Live: "As traders we are having a horrendous time as Nottingham City Council are charging full rent during the lockdown.
"I have a large unit near the front at Victoria Market and my rent is £5,600 a month.
"We have been closed down for almost three months so actually owe the council £16,800 rent with the [government business] grant taken off that means l owe them £6,800.
"If this lockdown continues and the council refuse to budge then l will have no choice but to close it.
"The citizens of Nottingham will have no market in the centre of Nottingham at this rate."
Nottingham City Council said it is "not in a position" to be able to provide a rent-free period to traders.
It said it will support traders by agreeing payment plans to address rent arrears accrued during the lockdown.
The payment plans could be extended over a 12 to 18 month period, the authority admitted.
Portfolio holder for leisure and culture, Councillor Dave Trimble, said: “This is a difficult time for many businesses and we are providing support wherever we can to help them through the current lockdown.
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“Some of our markets are still operating but as the Victoria Centre is closed this has not been possible there.
"We have therefore paused rent payments and amended the approach to business rates so traders receive business rates relief.
"Most, if not all traders will have now received £10,000 business support grant, while some may have also furloughed staff and can access the Business Interruption Loan Scheme.
“The city council has done a lot to support the traders by subsidising the indoor market since 2014, but as we strive to once again make savings due to Government cuts and focus on maintaining statutory services and protecting the most vulnerable, we are unfortunately not in a position to provide a rent-free period.
"A new grant is due to become available shortly which will support a number of businesses which have not able to access the existing rate-based system.
"We will continue to lobby Government on behalf of businesses to provide sufficient financial support to cover additional costs throughout this national crisis.”
Responding to this, trader Sue added: "Other councils have been able to suspend rate completely or at least provide a bit of relief. I feel they do not care about us at all.
"They will lose historical business."
Are you a market trader affected by this? Email newsdesk@nottinghampost.com
