CRITICISM has been directed towards the council this week over its selection process for the new Chester Market which is due to open next summer.

Two traders – including one eatery which has now departed the current market and set up at a premises in the city centre – took to social media to reveal that their applications had been unsuccessful.

One of the businesses described the process as a "shambles" while some members of the public posted to say they would be boycotting the new market.

Councillor Richard Beacham says he is "saddened" by the comments he has read online, but is adamant "the legacy of the existing market will live on" at the new site.

Today (July 2), Cheshire West and Chester Council confirmed that 17 of the 27 traders offered a spot in the first round are existing stallholders.

The authority said they are all independent traders, "overwhelmingly local" and include a mix of established, small businesses and recent start-ups.

Fifty-three applications were received and all offers are subject to traders concluding the legal details of their leases.

Popular pizzeria Stile Napoletano has recently opened up at a premises on Watergate Street after departing the market.

The business posted on its social media pages yesterday: "For all the people who "criticised" us for leaving the market “just because we have a new place”: we opened our restaurant on Watergate Street when we realised that the new market would be very expensive and we would not have had any priority in choosing the traders.

"In fact our application was not accepted, and I, thanking my resourcefulness, saved my business and my family. Before judging people's decisions, look at what's behind them."

Peak Sandwiches took to Twitter to confirm it was also unsuccessful with its application, posting: "The reason we were given was that our proposed revenue percentage wasn’t high enough.

"The whole application process has been a right shambles from start to finish."

It was confirmed this week that Stein's and Verde's were also leaving the market, while Death By Tacos have lodged plans for a premises on Watergate Street.

The council says it is obliged by law to achieve best value in all its property transactions and the evaluation process ensured that this obligation could be met.

It said that to apply for a place in the new market, traders were asked to complete an application form and provide evidence of their trading history or provide an optional business plan.

Each application was scored against a wide set of criteria – including their experience, marketing strategy and business viability – in order that the process could be as fair and equitable as possible.

The evaluation panel was made up of the council’s markets team and independent external advisers.

The authority said that for those that were unsuccessful, individual feedback was offered on their application.

According to the council it has alternative markets or retail premises that can be offered to help relocate existing traders or offered to new applicants.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said: “I have been watching the commentary online over recent days and am saddened by what I have read. We all want the best for Chester Market, it is a jewel in our City’s crown - both in its current and future form.

“Some businesses that will not be in the new market have opened on the high street and I wish them the very best of luck. I celebrate their success, because we want the market to be an incubator for new businesses, a place where people can safely try new ideas and ultimately grow them into what otherwise might be empty units on our high streets. This is very much part of the ethos of the new market too.

“The legacy of the existing market will live on in the new market, both in terms of the well-known and well-liked traders that transfer over, and in its entrepreneurial spirit. Markets are successful when traders, the council and residents work together to create something better than we can achieve alone.

"I hope we can continue to nurture this in the future and create a truly amazing market which is good for business, good for the city and good for the community too.

“I look forward to further announcements of additional traders that will enable us to expand the diverse range of produce and goods on offer alongside the wonderful food, beverage, goods and produce traders we have identified so far.”

The council says it will offer support to any trader that did not wish to apply for a stall in the new market and help them plan their future beyond the closure of the existing market.

Further details of the successful trader line-up will be announced once their leases have been concluded.