Traders: ACA is treating us badly over charges
Nikki Jarvis
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FED-UP: Market traders say they have had enough of the ACA's "unfair treatment"
Photo no: CRPM20100827A-003_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FED UP: Market traders say they have had enough of the ACA's "unfair treatment" CRPM20100827A-004_C by Paul Martyniuk
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FED-UP: Market traders say they have had enough of the ACA's "unfair treatment"
Photo no: CRPM20100827A-005_C by Paul Martyniukk
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MARKET traders say a community group is treating them badly over charges to use a car park and toilet.
The stall-holders, some of whom have been trading in New Addington's Central Parade for more than 20 years, say the Addington Community Association's fees to use the facilities are far too high.
Kindi Kerr, 39, has been selling women's clothing from her stall for 19 years.
She said: "The ACA was getting £200 a week from us traders to let us use the car park and toilet facilities.
"And even when the recession kicked in they still wanted the same amount from us.
"But shoppers, members of the public, everyone can use that car park and toilet for free whenever they like – it's a community facility.
"We have been part of this community for years and years – why should we be treated any differently from other people?
"They lock the gates now on the days we're here so we can't get in and the toilet is locked so we can't use that either.
"How is that fair on other members of the public?"
And another trader, John Ritchie, 22, who sells toiletries, added: "There's no excuse for the way we're being treated."
For years, Bray Associates – which runs the market – paid the ACA a weekly fee of £100 for the traders to use its parking lot on Tuesdays and Fridays when stalls are open.
But about four years ago, the price suddenly doubled.
Brian Nunan, owner of the company, said it was no longer economical to pay the fee as the removal of bollards on Central Parade meant traders could park on the market, so only six needed to use the ACA instead of around 30.
Traders then offered to pay the ACA £3 per vehicle per day but the management has refused the offer.
Ron Sealey, president of the ACA, said: "We put the fee back to £50 per day [£100 per week] after a meeting two weeks ago.
"We put it up to £200 a week during the regeneration talks when the market traders and Bray Associates came up against us.
"We wanted revenge.
"But now it's gone back to £100 and they don't want to pay it.
"We have lost our council funding and we can't afford to pay for toilet rolls and cleaning, but they want something for nothing.
"They say they are part of the community but all they do is take from New Addington and don't give anything back."
He added: "We can't take £3 per vehicle per day because there's no way of us policing it.
"All we want is some financial support."
35 Comments
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by Krystal, New Addington
Thursday, September 30 2010, 12:33PM
“Hi Gary,
You do indeed reside in Forestdale - quite why your previous comment detailed such a confusing route to presumably reach the ACA mystifies me?!
If, on a Friday, I ever see any members of the ACA committee conducting a survey with local Residents to prove my point, I promise I will indeed enter the den of inequity and have that drink with you.
Some information you may find interesting - the charge for the small hall at the ACA is £250 (with seemingly no deductions for anyone) - the equvilant sized hall (with use of kitchen facilities) at the Fieldway Community Centre is £9 per hour!!!”
by Gary, FORESTDALE.
Sunday, September 26 2010, 11:15AM
“Hello Krystal.
I live in the flats on the corner of PIXTON WAY and SELSDON PARK ROAD, just behind the large slab of granite with the 9 inch high letters F.O.R.E.S.T.D.A.L.E. carved into it, which by my reckoning is in Forestdale! Check out my postcode, it is CR0 9LL.
In the A.C.A. Constitution (and any other sports and social club in the British Isles, by law), any fully paid up member of the club, after a qualifying period, can apply to be voted on to the committee, provided they have a seconder, who is also a fully paid up member of the club. Try it now, because after the Tesco fiasco, so many people did not renew their membership thinking that we were to be relocated to Milne Park dressing rooms, we are finding it very difficult to get enough members to stand for the committee.
Answering your second point, I visit the A.C.A. once a week, on a Friday lunchtime, when my carer drives me to New Addington market and we have an hour or so in the club for a drink, and to give me some respite. (my carer is teatotal by the way).
Finally, Have you ever been to the Thursday Morning market that is held in the centre? The dozens of sellers, and hundreds of customers who visit it every week seem to enjoy it, and they all seem to agree that the bingo nights, ballroom dancing classes, kids dancing lessons, coffee mornings, church meetings, etc. etc. are great, and well attended. Why don't you actually VISIT the A.C.A., claim your FREE drink (my money is still behind the bar), and enjoy yourself along with the hundreds and hundreds of normal people from the community, who use the club every week?
P.S. To the person too scared to put their name to the comment that all disabled people are scroungers, I hope that you don't suffer as I, and nemerous others do, where our only pleasure in life is a weekly visit to the market with our carer, and a quiet drink in the local club.”
by >>>>>, <<<<<<
Thursday, September 16 2010, 6:03PM
“I looked up the word disabled as Gary said it says:
Scrounger
I state my case gazza”
by Krystal, New Addington
Wednesday, September 15 2010, 12:00AM
“Gary - you mislead - you don't reside in Forestdale do you - therefore obviously if you are travelling from the South Croydon/Selsdon area it will indeed take you longer to reach the Forestdale Forum duh!
I'm sure the ACA committee would indeed love the increased membership with the revenue it brings in - but no way will anyone be able to be voted onto the committee and have a say - it has been tried, and failed.
Again - as you obviously don't now reside anywhere near New Addington (but seem to travel some distance to prop bars up?!) perhaps you don't appreciate the tide of ill-feeling towards the 'cliquey' drinking club, and the overwhelming feeling that not enough is being done to serve the communities needs. I challenged you to stand on Central Parade and ask people their thoughts, at the time not realising your disabilities - so perhaps Ron Sealey (who still hasn't commented here) or any other committee members could? Try and prove me wrong - but I don't think you will.”
by Gary, Forestdale
Tuesday, September 14 2010, 5:29PM
“Dear RobinHood, you really are showing your ignorance! First of all, look up the word DISABLED in the dictionary. When I go out without my carer, it takes me 15 minutes to walk to the bus stop, even though it is only 200 yards away, then I wait an average of 5-10 minutes for a 64 to Queenhill road, which takes about 10 minutes, cross the road and wait another 5-10 minutes for a T33. (I must change at Queenhill road because I have to have a bus stop with a bench to wait at because of my DISABILITY). The T33 takes about 25 minutes which adds up to about an hour... IF I'M LUCKY! If I come back after 5 O/Clock, my return journey is even longer. As for the "why should we pay for somthing that is ours?" question, who do you think pays for the barstaff, caretakers, cleaners, gas, electricity, rent, entertainment, stationary, cleaning products, damage replacement, wear and tear etc. etc. etc..... In the words of Richard Littlejohn, YOU COULDN'T MAKE IT UP!”