MARKET managers in Sturminster Newton have hit back at criticism from stallholders over rising rates for pitches.

Traders using the Saturday market at The Exchange arts centre have reacted angrily to an increase in pitch fees and a change in terms and conditions. Now Robin Savill, centre manager at The Exchange, has spoken out in a bid to quash rumours that the increases were part of a plot to close the market.

He said: “This couldn’t be further from the truth. Pitch fees needed to be reviewed because they were set two years ago, long before the true costs of running The Exchange were known.

“The new fees are still very reasonable for an indoor market in this area. The terms and conditions were put in place to allow us to address some health and safety issues and to provide sensible guidelines for stall holders,” he added.

Mr Savill, who was involved in a relaunch of the Broadway market in London’s Hackney district in the 1990s, said interest from new stallholders would help bring the market up to full strength.

“The end result will be a thriving Saturday Market that Sturminster can be proud of and that, as well as satisfying the needs of local residents, will bring shoppers in from outside the town.”

June Warburton, a trader at the monthly farmers’ market in the centre of the town, said stallholders at the Exchange’s indoor market were still getting a good deal.

“We felt the Exchange had been more than justified. The cost of the pitches may have been doubled, but they still only pay £8.

“It was ridiculously cheap before and is still ridiculously cheap. The Exchange is run by volunteers. Our pitches are £20 or £25,” said Mrs Warburton.