The protest was in solidarity with 32 stallholders. They are refusing to sign new contracts that will increase rents by up to 100% and will be back dated. Most reckon they’ll go out of business as a result of this. The new contracts will signifiantly reduce the rigts of the stallholders by making them exempt from protection under the Tenants and Landlord Act.

There was massive local support against the Council's pans to chnage the market. 1000 leaflets were given out in less than one hour!! Many peole expressed their frustrations at the way the Council makes decisions in secret. There is also widespread evidence of bullying of stall holders by market staff.

We believe there should be a vibrant market in Leeds where we can buy cheap, local goods. We are against the Council’s plans to change the market and the way they make decisions without asking the people of Leeds.

The Council wants to help its friends in big business. It wants happy shoppers content to empty their pockets in overpriced boutiques and expensive café bars, and is not interested in keeping Leeds city centre accessible to all.

b>What’s the alternative?
What about the market being owned and run co-operatively by the workers?
A city centre accessible to all which is uniquely Leeds not just anonymous posh shops, bars and supermarkets
More farmer’s markets and sale of local products

We want a say about what happens in our city, we don’t want a profit-driven Council.
If you want to get involved:
Give out leaflets, spread the word.
Let your view be heard, join us at the Council’s meeting – Weds 25th Feb 12noon Civic Hall, Millennium Sq.
Contact Leeds ARC tel: 07963 951267  leedsarc@riseup.net
OR...start a petition, write to or picket the Council, write to the newspapers, talk to stallholders...

Leeds ARCs next meeting is at Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, on 4th March, at 7.30pm