Union fears job losses for Knaresborough market workers over changes brought in by Harrogate council

David Houlgate, branch secretary at Unison Harrogate, said he had been contacted by staff with job concerns after new rules which urge traders to set up their own stalls were introduced in August.

Mr Houlgate said "rumours" that the rules were brought in because of staff shortages are wrong - and the council employees are in fact working on a rota basis.

"Staff are concerned about rumours circulating that Harrogate Borough Council is having difficulty in erecting the stalls due to a shortage of staff," he said.

"Unison wishes to make clear that this is not the case and that there is currently a surplus of staff who ordinarily erect the stalls.

"As a result, staff are having to work a rota system and the real issue of concern is that they may be made redundant at some future point from the role."

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The new rules mean traders are told to either set up their own stalls or pay more money for council staff to do it.

The move has been met with fierce opposition from stallholders and town councillors who have made demands that the council U-turn on its decision and rule out any additional charges.

When asked if any jobs are at risk, a council spokesman said: “The team who erect market stalls already work for the council in other roles and carry out these additional duties at Ripon and/or Knaresborough market for us.

“As we’ve made clear previously, market traders who wish to continue using the council-erected stalls will still be able to do so. Therefore, this task will still be required.”

The council previously said some traders may actually pay less rent under the rules, as they are being offered a £5 weekly reduction if they erect their own stalls.

The council has also dismissed rumours that the markets could be closed down altogether.

Councillor Andrew Paraskos, cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, previously said it has "no plans whatsoever" to remove them.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter