LOCAL community groups will ‘struggle to keep open’ due to the introduction of a new Barnsley Council fee, according to one group’s manager.
Barnsley Council has introduced a new market licence policy which will come into effect as soon as April 1.
Council bosses say the new fee - which will be £50 plus VAT - will be charged to those running events such as car boots, jumble sales and second-hand markets.
This includes both indoor and outdoor events.
If you have five or more stalls at the event it would fall under this policy.
Though if you have four or less it will fall under street trading policy which is currently subjected to approval from the Barnsley Council cabinet.
Ian Ball, who is the club manager and founder of the Dearne Kids Outdoor Activity Group, believes this new fee will have a detrimental impact on groups across the town.
He told the Chronicle: “We have three fairs a year and they’re our main source of fundraising.
“We have events at Houghton Road Community Centre and when we have them we’re already paying to rent them out.
“It’s only £15 an hour for seven hours or so but when this new licence fee comes in it means we’ll have to raise more than £100 before we even breakeven.”
Ian, who has been a volunteer for over 40 years and founded the group which had its 30th anniversary last year, admits the group will struggle should this new fee be introduced.
“We’re going to struggle to keep open,” he added.
“It was our 30th anniversary last year and we run residents day trips for kids in the Dearne.
“It’s a lot of money that we have to raise and this is only going to make it harder.
“We’re going to have to increase what we charge people who run the stalls - and then they’re not going to be able to make enough money.
“It’s unsustainable - it’s going to kill a lot of community groups off.”
A spokesperson for the council told the Chronicle: “Our markets play an important role in our communities, helping to make our high streets and town centres vibrant and welcoming places for everyone to visit, shop and explore.
“As part of our role in managing these spaces, we have policies in place to support local groups looking to host market events, including a tiered pricing structure.
“This policy has been in place for several years now, covering everything from car boots to community markets.
“Community groups organising events with five or more stalls will need to let us know and apply for permission, helping us make sure these events go ahead safely.”
