Mayor of Tring Nick Hollinghurst says the town’s 700-year-old market will stay where it is despite fears that its location is killing it off.
He spoke out at the town’s annual meeting on Monday after members of the public said Friday trade is ‘falling apart’ at its current Brook Street home.
Speaking at the event in Victoria Hall, Akeman Street, Jenny Thallon said: “It’s falling apart and the traders are not happy, and I find it a great sadness.”
Mr Hollinghurst said a series of celebrations are being planned to mark the market’s 700th anniversary and bring in more trade.
But member of the public Yvonne Ayres said: “Traditional markets are always in the centre of town or in a thoroughfare, not tucked away in a corner.
“That’s the main pitfall of Tring market – when it moved. It will never do anything where it is now.”
But Mr Hollinghurst said it could not move back to its old home in the more central Forge car park, because it would take up too many spaces.
It would cost too much to rent the spaces off Dacorum Borough Council and could create parking problems for the town’s visitor’s, he said.
The market is now based in Tring Market Place on land owned by Tring Town Council.
Mr Hollinghurst said: “That’s where the market is. That’s the situation and we cannot move.”
Mrs Ayres said: “And that’s where it will die.”