A STALLHOLDER claims she has been forced out of Ramsbottom because of a charter which restricts the amount of markets in the town.

Charlotte Mitchell, of Bye Road, Shuttleworth, runs Manchester Vintage stalls and booked Ramsbottom Civic Hall to hold her stall on the first Sunday of every month, but was unaware of the markets charter, which governs the number of stalls across the borough.

The 33-year-old complained about the decision, and was told by town hall bosses that she would only be granted one more market during the current financial year.

She said: “I feel like we have been let down.

“We are very disappointed but we don’t feel that we have been listened to. It seems that traders have no voice, and it is a stupid decision.”

Bury Council says that the number of markets in the borough needs to be regulated to ensure they can continue to prosper in the long term. Councillors have backed Ms Mitchell, who now plans to hold a stall at St Mary’s Chambers in Rawtenstall on September 8, and said that changes should be made to ensure it does not happen again in the future.

Cllr Joanne Columbine, deputy cabinet member for leisure, tourism and culture told Ramsbottom, Tottington and North Manor township forum last Thursday that she was present at a meeting where council chiefs discussed the issue.

She said: “As you can imagine she is not particularly happy and potentially a very good source of revenue for the civic has been lost.

“I am not happy with the decision but that is where we stand at the moment. I sat in the meeting absolutely bemused.”

Bury Council said it was agreed at the meeting that two commercial markets can be held at the same location in any one year, in addition to eight non commercial markets being licensed.