There is a rivalry between two market traders and Dumfries and Galloway Council had been hoping they could put their differences aside and work together for the benefit of Dumfries town centre.
The matter was due to be discussed at Wednesday’s meeting on Nithsdale Area Committee, but no report was made available, writes local democracy reporter Mark Mclean.
It was also expected that the topic would be on the agenda at the full council meeting at the end of the month, however this is no longer happening.
Nithsdale Area Committee chairman, Councillor Jim Dempster, said: “Although there is a recommendation that it goes to the full council on March 31, the provost and I have decided that we will have a special meeting to discuss this particular agenda item at a date to be set before the next election on May 5.
“That’s on the basis that this should be a local decision, a local decision-making process. I believe that in the previous report there was a decision to be taken by us in March.
“Therefore we intend to convene a special meeting. That’s a decision taken by the provost, vice chair, and myself.”
The traders’ rivalry was created in 2020 when Dumfries and Galloway Council gave the go-ahead to independent crafters’ co-operative The Guild to stage a market festival every second Saturday of the month for most of the year.
Previously, the Dumfries street market had been the domain of traditional market operator Town Centre Dynamics.
They claimed their stallholders would be disadvantaged by not being allowed to trade when the alternative market was in operation – and both groups have been at loggerheads since.
