Noisy market traders disturb the early morning peace for Nailsea people

EARLY morning wake-up calls are giving a Nailsea landlady a headache especially when she has been working late in the bar the night before.

In an attempted to boost trade the Tuesday market has recently moved from the Link Road car park into the town centre shopping precinct.

But Queen’s Head landlady Vikki Cottey said: “I am sick to death of being woken up at 6am by the traders laughing, joking and reversing their vehicles on Tuesday mornings.

“This has happened for the past three weeks, they have no consideration for other people.”

“It should be illegal to be up at that time making noise when I’m trying to sleep.”

The Queens Head public house is on the corner of the High Street nearest to Somerset Square where the weekly market is now held.

Nailsea Town Council who issues the trading license has received several complaints from people living in the flats above and the pub.

The clerk Ian Morrell has told the trader they have to respect the residents or their license will be revoked.

Tuesday Market manager David Price, of Oak Leaf Nursery, said: “I am aware there have been complaints about bad language and shouting and that if we don’t sort it our license may not be renewed.

“We have been very quiet this week with about seven to eight regular stalls and I am confident we can resolve any issues.”

Vikki said: “It is a nightmare.

“I know pubs can be noisy at weekends but this is on a weekday when sometimes we haven’t long got to bed.

“Everyone gets woken up and we aren’t happy.”

After a succession of landlords Vikki and her partner Steve Snook took over the town centre pub a few months ago and are determined to make it work.

With the help of her brother Justin Dwyer as bar manager they have put back the pool table and are trying hard to re-establish the pub as the popular venue for local customers.

But while the Tuesday Market is experiencing problems business is booming at the monthly Farmers Market at Crown Glass Place.

The next Farmers' Market is on Saturday, February 20, between 9am-1pm.

On sale will be all kinds of meat, speciality sausages, eggs, cheese, preserves, bread, apple juice, cupcakes, fish, vegetables, vegetarian dishes, and more including the popular environmentally-friendly Shop Nailsea jute bags at £2.50 .

Cllr Clare Hunt was at the January event when a food-filled hamper was raffled.

She said the setting with the brightly covered stall canopies is a big hit.

“All the stallholders donated to the hamper and more than £100 tickets were sold. It is so good for the town to provide a space where people can stop and chat.

“The lively feel in that area is quite different on the Saturdays when the Farmers Market is on.”

* The first craft market in the town centre will not be until Saturday, March 20.

* Nailsea Country Market is every Friday from 10-11.15am at the Methodist Church Centre, Silver Street. Formerly known as the WI market it offers a wide choice of homemade and/or homegrown produce. From cakes, gateaux, pastries, savouries, pies, preserves, to vegetables, fruit, eggs, meat and poultry and plants all are welcome at this friendly weekly market which has free admission and refreshments are on sale.