Proposed sale of shoppers' car park sparks protest

Traders and residents marched in Malton to object to Ryedale Council's idea of selling Wentworth Street car park to a supermarket chain.

Starting at the Wentworth Street Car Park and finishing at the Old Town Hall in Malton Market Place, the march was a message to councillors that feelings were running high in Malton, Norton and in the surrounding area of Ryedale.

Objectors say the area already has enough supermarkets and the sale will rob shoppers of parking spaces and increase congestion in the town.

Objector Denys Townsend said: "If the sale happens, it will have a devastating impact on Malton's town centre shops, particularly its small independent traders.

"Malton will also lose its historic character and become a clone town."

The march showed the strength of feeling in a community renowned only for its actions in relation to the hospital closure, he added.

Ryedale Council says Wentworth Street Car Park is under used. This is denied by the objectors.

But council officials say everyone will benefit from the proceeds of the sale and the car park is never more than half full – even on special event days.