Traders at Birmingham Wholesale Market are to take the council to a judicial review as the fight to keep the market running continues.
The Birmingham Wholesale Fresh Produce Association (BWFPA) has started High Court action, seeking a judicial review of the decision-making and consultation process of Birmingham City Council (BCC) in connection with the future of the market.
Wholesalers at the Midlands market believe the consultation on the future of the Pershore Street site is “fundamentally flawed”.
The association claims that, despite its representation and involvement in meetings to define the consultation, none of its suggestions have been included in the consultation exercise commissioned by the council.
The BWFPA fears decisions will be made by the cabinet without authorities having a full and proper understanding of all the issues at stake.
The consultation formally closed on 21 October. Traders sought legal advice after the survey failed to ask whether they wanted to stay on the site.
Mark Tate, chairman of the BWFPA, said: “We have spent a great deal of time and effort attending consultation meetings since 28 July, in an attempt to engage with BCC about the future of the wholesale market, but have been disappointed by the council’s response.”
Traders claim little information has been available, with key figures redacted from public documents and “no commercial plan” explained.
Tate said: “It’s unfortunate that we’ve had to take these steps, but we feel it is our only choice to help protect the businesses and many thousands of jobs that are currently at risk.”
A spokesperson for BCC said it is unable to comment until notification has been received from court, but said the consultation is ongoing, no decision on the market has been taken by cabinet and it is unlikely to be made until January.
Traders Paul Tate and Peter Marshall have been on a fact-finding mission to China as part of the World Union of Wholesale Markets congress, producing a daily blog.
No comments yet