Market row escalates

Cllr Simon Cooke (above) is also confusing his roles as a councillor and his bid to become a Tory MP for Keighley, claims Keighley MP Ann Cryer.

The political row flared as it was revealed that Cllr Cooke had met with Morrisons last June, after the change of power at City Hall.

It a letter to the market trader's leader, Kath Sugden, Morrisons say he gave their regeneration plans for their store and market an "equal element of encouragement" -- referring to earlier talks with former Labour leader Cllr Ian Greenwood and Cllr Dave Green.

At the meetings, Morrisons outlined a basic plan for a new store, a new market hall, together with relaid car parking, a petrol station and a link to the town centre. The phased scheme would involve building a new market hall, then demolishing the old market hall, building a new store, petrol station and car parking, and then demolishing the old store.

Cllr Cooke, Bradford Council's executive member with economic portfolio, was one of the first people to sign the market traders' petition to keep Keighley Market where it is and council owned.

He says: "I have signed the petition because the message that the traders are giving the council is that they want to stay on the same site.

"I can't say anything other than that we have a duty to support and encourage their businesses. And I agree with them that moving away from the site might lose them customers."

But Mrs Cryer says: "Cllr Cooke is confusing his two roles. He is signing petitions and sending out letters -- when he is the person who will receive them."

Cllr Cooke says that while it is possible he will receive the petition as an executive member who is responsible for regeneration, this is unlikely.

He says: "If it is presented to the full council then that body will refer it on -- most probably to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Adds Cllr Cooke: "I am entitled to express my opinions about the future of Keighley Market in public.

"I am only constrained in respect of planning permissions and by the need to respect confidentiality."

Mrs Cryer's comments came as the Keighley News confirmed that the market traders were told of the possible plan involving supermarket giant Morrisons by Worth Valley Conservative councillor Paul Barker.

Yesterday Cllr Barker said: "I was contacted by the market traders' spokesman who had heard rumours that the market was to be redeveloped.

"I contacted the markets office in Bradford and I spoke to Simon Cooke before saying anything, because I hadn't seen the plans so didn't know the specifics."

Cllr Barker continues: "I didn't say they would be moving. I said it would be possible that someone might be building a new market. I tried to set her mind at ease without telling her confidential information as to exactly what was happening."

Within hours of the rumour, Cllr Cooke was at the market making public statements about safeguarding the market traders' businesses.

Cllr Cooke says: "I was very cross -- somebody leaked the story and I had to respond. I had to give immediate reassurance to the market traders who were worried about being sold down the river by the council. I had no idea who leaked the story."

Mrs Cryer met Morrisons, at its request, on December 8, 2000.

She says: "The meeting was commercial and in confidence so nothing could be said at the time. The issue is now out in the open. I am most concerned about the scaremongering that the market is to close.

"Shortly after my meeting, Morrisons had talks with the council including Cllr Cooke.

"Morrisons has given assurances over full consultation and that the development could take place without any interruption of trade. It also says it would not expect tenants' rents to rise."

Cllr Cooke says: "I wasn't at that meeting with Morrisons when assurances were given. I was aware that issues had been raised but was not aware of the extent that these assurances had been guaranteed.

"The one crucial assurance that I gave to the traders was that no development would be agreed by the council without it being acceptable to market traders, only the council can give that assurance."

In a letter, Roger Owen, Morrisons' property director, says he believes the curent situation has been misunderstood in a number of areas, causing unneccessary concern.

He stresses that the company clearly understands there would have to be negotiation between the council, as landlords, and the market traders.

He adds: "The confusion and uncertainty which has arisen during the course of the week is not of our making. Unfortunately, and sadly, the true facts have not been available, rumours abound. I believe this proposal represents a golden opportunity for us all to secure our future in Keighley rather than be worrying about an uncertian one."