'In two years' time, without help, Northampton market will not exist' warns Fitzy

Letter to the editor
Eamonn ‘Fitzy’ FitzpatrickEamonn ‘Fitzy’ Fitzpatrick
Eamonn ‘Fitzy’ Fitzpatrick

In two years time, without help now, Northampton market will not exist.

The rent is not the only problem down there, as us market traders have to put up with the falling footfall of customers; the anti-social behaviour of the street drinkers and the stink of the alleys surrounding the market which are used for toilets in bad weather now that winter is upon us.

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Supermarkets are exploting lockdown loopholes, but that’s what badly written rules are all about. Little independent shops have been forced to close twice this year, giving them a right kick in the teeth, but large retailers and massive online sellers crack on as normal, and improve on their already vast profits. The real beneficiary of the lockdowns are online companies such as tax shy Amazon.

If only they were compelled to pay more tax then it might be a more level playing field.

I do have sympathy for the smaller retailers; we all moan about Amazon but ultimately buy from them because it is cheaper and more convenient to buy.

But sadly we prefer to take the bargain and not think about the future effects on our town centres and the high streets.

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Maybe small businesses should donate more to the Tory party then they might get more breaks.

Still the Tories’ instincts are not to upset big businesses; you never know when a boardroom opportunity might surface in the future...

If there are tax loopholes then those with the means will find them.

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