IT will now cost £55 to operate a market in Wirral as the council implemented part of its new market policy.

Wirral Council was discussing a new fee to operate a market in Wirral which community groups, churches, and schools had previously raised concerns about, stating that it would prevent them from hosting events.

The new fee to operate a market will cover the cost of processing an application that was voted through without issue. The council said this was not intended to target one-off events such as book fairs, summer fairs, and cake sales.

Cllr Dave Mitchell praised this and the low cost of the fee. Cllr Andrew Hodson agreed and added “that was one of the biggest concerns that the cost was going to run away. It seems that we have the right balance with that.”

Ahead of a meeting to approve the new markets police earlier this year, Wirral Council was accused of being “Scrooge-like.”

This was because of a six mile zone around the council-owned Birkenhead Market which would restrict the operation of markets in this area that might impact trading at that particular market.

One resident, a member of a local church, said: “I find it utterly disgusting that it is considered a threat to the Market in Birkenhead that a Church/Group some miles away is holding a Christmas or Summer Fayre for the purpose of raising funds to help a charity.”

The new policy sets out criteria for the types of events that wouldn’t pay a fee. These are events that operate for no more than two days back-to-back, occur no more than 12 times a year with less than 30 stalls and have no significant impact on trading at Birkenhead Market.

For markets that don’t impact Birkenhead Market, the council said it “would wish to support and encourage such activity” and the markets policy “recognises that community groups have long run market events to support their aims and ambitions.”

The policy was passed despite some opposition from the public. Councillors argued the new policy would provide clarity on what markets were allowed to operate where and when in Wirral.

The Regulatory and General Purposes committee also voted to move three polling places ahead of the all-out elections next year.

Byrne Avenue Baths, Brackenwood Infants School, and the Youth Space at the St Anselmians Rugby Club will become new polling places.