A CONSULTATION is to be held on controversial plans to permanently relocate Pickering market out of the Market Place.

It was temporarily moved while work was carried out to improve pavements in the Market Place centre. Ryedale District Council decided to temporarily relocate the stalls onto Ropery Car Park on the basis that North Yorkshire County Council would reimburse it for lost revenue.

Now the district council is considering a request to permanently relocate the market. But a spokesman said there is clearly conflicting opinion about the move and the council needs to understand the facts, together with the financial consequences, before it can make a decision on the future location of the market.

A consultation exercise is now being carried out by Ryedale council with everyone involved, including stallholders and residents so they can assess what impact it will have. Anyone who would like to comment can email the council on markets@ryedale.gov.uk