24/10/2026
๐ฌ๐ง BACKING RETFORD MARKET & SMALL BUSINESS
On Friday, Robert Jenrick MP made a personal visit to Retford Market to chat with traders. Important issues were discussed:
๐ Declining footfall
๐
ฟ๏ธ Parking charges
๐ Inflexible booking procedures
๐ฃ Poor marketing and signage
๐ง Barriers facing new and casual traders
At full council - I pressed for a clear recovery plan and Bassetlaw District Council established a Task and Finish Group. ๐ When will traders see the outcome from this work?
We also discussed the ridiculous โCake Shed Taxโโa ยฃ1,007 annual licence charge facing small home bakers and honesty-box businesses. These entrepreneurs should be encouraged, not priced out.
For many traders & cake shed businesses, trading isnโt simply a businessโitโs a way of life.
Great to see Matt Richards.
Bassetlaw must remain open for business. ๐ฌ๐ง