Competition is not so good for some businesses

From: Chris Adby, The Shawl Stall, York.

I AM a market trader based in York who sells a unique range of scarves and last April was invited by a friend of mine to trade at a “World Village Market” in Cambridge Street, Harrogate.

The event was a great success and we got a huge amount of positive feedback from the general public of Harrogate.

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Many people asked when we would return and I told them we were booked to be back at the end of June.

A few days ago, though, I received an email from the company that organises the event to inform me that I would not be able to trade at this event because some of the local shops had complained to the council, who sanction and regulate this event, about the competition.

Evidently the phrase “competition is good for business” is not part of their thinking, but outright protectionism is. It seems that Harrogate Council are more interested in keeping one or two shopkeepers happy than they are in keeping the public happy, because believe me, the public were very happy to see us.

Who are the councillors of Harrogate running the town for? Just a privileged few local businesses, it would seem.

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The thought that one sole trader selling a range of scarves for six days in the year is a real threat to local business is pathetic.

I would like to apologise to all those people who were expecting to see me next week but as they say, due to unforeseen circumstances I will not be able to make it! I will though be on York Market.