No increase in Pannier Market rents

But you'll pay more to be buried

Traders at Barnstaple’s Pannier Market will not see their charges increase when it reopens following maintenance work.

The market closed last month for renovation after funding was awarded to North Devon District Council by central government to improve it.

In response to rising inflation, the council’s planning policy committee agreed to increase several service charges at a meeting on Thursday [9 February]. However, fees for traders at Pannier Market will remain the same.

Cllr Helen Walker (Liberal Democrats, Bickington) said: “Thank you very much for keeping market prices the same, because that’s a good way of showing market traders that they are valued, and we’d love to have them back when the market’s looking beautiful again.”

The cost of owning an allotment and cemetery plots, and hiring sports pitches will cost five per cent more in the 2023-24 financial year. Charges for work that council officers need to do before plans for proposed developments are submitted will also increase.

Last year, the council decided to put up the price of collecting garden waste to £55. Special collections of large waste are also rising.

The cost of building management is going up eight per cent in the next financial year.