We, the undersigned, call on Cheshire West and Cheshire Council to extend the support given to the traders of Ellesmere Port Market during lockdown to be extended until December 2020.

This support is constituted of a reduction in rent payable by way of removing 'Service Charges' from the amount payable.

Please sign if you agree and would like to help to Save Ellesmere Port Market.

It is our, the traders, belief that Ellesmere Port Market faces imminent collapse due to many of the businesses being unable to meet their commitments because of extremely challenging trading conditions brought about by the pandemic.

Further to this, it is our belief that Ellesmere Port Market is an important part of the community within Ellesmere Port and beyond. It provides more than just shopping opportunities, it is a meeting place, a social hub and, we believe, represents 'the heart' of the town and as such should and must not be allowed to fail.

The support offered to Ellesmere Port Market traders fell short of what was offered to many other markets including Birkenhead, Leigh, Bury, Wigan and Cambridge (who all received 3 months rent free to cover the lockdown period). The traders received only a partial reduction in our rent for the period of Government mandated business closure that constituted a removal of the 'Service Charge' element of our rents.

All that we now ask is that this partial reduction by way of removal of the 'Service Charge' element of our rent be continued until December 2020.

It is our position that this would allow the businesses in the Market to be able to continue to trade while we weather the worst economic effects of the pandemic.

If Cheshire West and Cheshire Council fail to support the traders, Ellesmere Port Market may cease to exist.

Don't let this happen!