A Northampton market trader has been told to leave the Market Square days after submitting a formal complaint about the management of the market.

Steve Reid, who previously ran Northampton Charcuterie Meats from a butcher's pod on Market Square, was sent the notice by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) this week.

It relates to two kiosks, operated by his family business, Artisan Collective, which is run by his wife Rachel.

The notice requires the kiosks to be handed back to the council on Tuesday, November 10.

A WNC spokesman said: "Following a formal warning notification on 1 October, a trader was this week served with a notice of termination after continuing to breach the terms of their Market Square agreement including unacceptable conduct. In line with the agreement, we exercised our right to issue a termination notice."

The notice was issued days after Mr Reid submitted a collective complaint to the council, dated November 3, on behalf of a group of some of the market traders.

The complaint calls for an independent review of the management of the market and raises concerns about footfall, vacant pitches, rent increases and the recovery of outstanding arrears. It also questions the support available to traders experiencing financial difficulties.

The complaint reads: "We believe the council must take responsibility for examining not only the debts that have accumulated, but also the conditions in which traders have been expected to operate and the management decisions that have contributed to the present situation."

Asked how he felt about receiving the termination notice after submitting the complaint, Mr Reid said: "You cannot think you're above everybody and treat people like this. People that have tried to support that market."

He added: "I'm very disappointed. We've been treated terribly."

Mr Reid, who stood as a Reform UK candidate in the May 2025 local elections, said he had hoped for political support over the concerns he had raised.

The butcher said he was still deciding what to do about the notice, but intended to respond to the council and challenge its position.

In July, Mr Reid closed his butcher's pod, saying there was not enough footfall to make it commercially viable. His wife continued operating the neighbouring Artisan Collective Farmshop Pod, where the business continued to sell some of its meat products.

At the time, Mr Reid said: "The footfall is not there. The council has not done what they were going to do. It was doomed to fail from the start.”

He also criticised the number of vacant stalls, saying the market needed more businesses and a wider range of products to attract customers.

The dispute comes after previous disagreements between Mr Reid and the council over the running of Northampton Market.

Last month, the Chronicle & Echo reported that WNC had no record of a reported vote of no confidence in market management, despite Mr Reid saying traders had supported one at a meeting in December 2025.

The council confirmed concerns about vacant stalls, footfall and trader support had been discussed at the meeting, but said it was not aware of a vote or motion of no confidence.

WNC has previously said footfall, monitored through its Huq system, continues to increase year on year. It has also highlighted efforts to recruit new traders and improve the market.

The council's latest statement did not address the collective complaint submitted on November 3.