There is unlikely to be too much rejoicing among Rawson Market traders at the news that their situation is due to be discussed at this month's meeting of the Council's regeneration committee.

Even in the unlikely event of that discussion leading to the immediate start of work to rebuild Rawson Market on its original site, it would be many more long months before the traders were able to move back in - months in which still more of them could be forced out of business.

It would offer little comfort, too, to the dozen or so businesses - now joined by the long-established Slavia Stores - which have already decided to call it a day since the market was prematurely closed and shifted to its "temporary" home in Rawson Road.

However, there seems little chance of this month's committee meeting leading to a swift solution to the traders' problems. Councillor Dave Green, the chairman, has told the traders that the issue is on the agenda, but being on an agenda is often a long way from any action being taken.

It is significant that Councillor Green has said he wants to discuss the way forward with tenants from both Rawson and John Street markets, fuelling speculation that plans are afoot to merge the two.

Whatever its line of thinking, the Council needs now to be seen to be involving the traders fully in all its discussions and deliberations, and to be giving absolute priority to solving their difficulties - which are largely of its own making.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.