Rubbish row leads to Hanley Indoor Market stall ban
A STALL at Stoke-on-Trent's biggest market will be closed for two weeks – after the stall-holder's licence was suspended in a row over rubbish.
Pickstone's Fruit and Veg, in Hanley's Indoor Market, closes for business later today after owner Paul Pickstone was hit with a 14-day ban.
It means the 48-year-old cannot deliver goods to his own stall leaving staff out-of-work until his return on Monday, December 10.
Mr Pickstone, who has run the stall with wife Simone for 25 years, was handed the suspension for threatening behaviour earlier this month.
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It followed an argument with one of the market inspectors who questioned why he hadn't separated his plastic and cardboard rubbish before throwing it out.
The suspension bans Mr Pickstone from all of the city council-run markets in Stoke-on-Trent.
The trader, of Market Drayton, said: "I was asked why the cardboard hadn't been separated from the plastic and I told the inspector that it isn't just me who doesn't do it.
"I felt I was being victimised because I wasn't the only one. There were boxes all around and she could see that, but it was me who got picked up on it.
"The discussion got quite heated and we started shouting at each other.
"I know I was wrong and I shouldn't have done it but nobody asked me why I got so mad.
"I have never been given any warnings or anything before so it is frustrating that it came to this."
Mr Pickstone, whose brother Martin runs a fruit and veg stall in Stoke's Outdoor Market, says he will be left £3,000 out of pocket following the closure – but will still be required to pay his £950-a-week rent.
He added: "There would be no point in employing somebody to do the deliveries because I would end up losing money, so the only option is to close completely.
"It will kill me knowing my brother is going to work and I am not but there is not a lot I can do about it.
"I just want to let my customers know that I will definitely be re-opening for business before Christmas."
Customer Graham Phillips, of Chell, who visits the stall up to three times a week, said: "It is unbelievable that a petty tiff can end up like this. It is the only fruit and veg shop in the market and the closure will affect hundreds of customers."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council today confirmed that Mr Pickstone's licence has been suspended.
Councillor Paul Shotton, cabinet member for finance, procurement and commissioning, said: "The council will not tolerate abusive or aggressive behaviour to staff.
"The licences that traders sign to operate at council markets include clear guidelines that unseemly conduct is not acceptable and can lead to a suspension of the licence.
"In this instance, Mr Pickstone's licence has been suspended for two weeks."
Mr Shotton added: "This decision was not taken lightly. The council wants to see traders thrive at its markets and only takes such action where issues have not been resolved by other means.
"In this instance, officers met with Mr Pickstone to look to resolve the issue first.
"It is important to note that the suspension only applies to Mr Pickstone, not his business – the business can continue to operate."
Comments
by AnthraxUK
Monday, November 26 2012, 12:34AM
“Get back in there and keep trading.
The public will be behind you all the way !
What they going to do ? Take you to court in front of a public jury. I am sure which way it would turn.”
by lordship42
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:58PM
“lagu2 say's to let his Brother deliver the veg to Hanley and Mr Pickstone run his brothers store in Newcastle, his brothers stall is NOT in Newcastle, it says stoke market where Mr picksone is also banned
it reads:
(Mr Pickstone, whose brother Martin runs a fruit and veg stall in Stoke's Outdoor Market”
by camband
Sunday, November 25 2012, 10:18PM
“@ Reality: ....your comment re 'fresh and cheaper' -comparing prices and quality between supermarkets and market stalls.
One thing for sure, which I have noticed -and that is the supermarkets would never put 'scabby looking apples and pears on the shelves, which you can find on sale with the market stalls -besides the 'non-scabby' produce.
But when I find a choice -of cheaper scabby looking apples or pears -I always take advantage of the bargain and buy a bagful. Because, once I've peeled the 'scabby looking' apple or pear, it is just as fresh and appealing as the 'shiny looking' ones... Just as nutritious and tasty.
Never judge a book by its cover. And you should peel or fruits -just washing it -no matter how 'shiny new' it appears is not enough to get rid of the chemicals -used to keep the bugs off -which cause the scabs in the first place.”
by Herladyship43
Sunday, November 25 2012, 9:04PM
“Surely a warning... either verbal or written, would have been the best outcome for Mr Pickstone, the Council and most important of all, his staff and customers.”
by lanternhead
Sunday, November 25 2012, 5:45PM
“it's just the pompous overbearing attitude of some council staff thats the trouble,all the good officers who used common sense have all retired and we now have staff who aren't fit to clean the boots of those who left.”
by SimonJ
Sunday, November 25 2012, 3:58PM
“I find it disgusting that this chap has had to close his business over something so petty. This council is a shambles, they want their top brass removing. The inspector has over stepped his job role and brought his own personal feelings (due to an argument) into his work and the result is the stall is now closed.
Like Paul, I'd also be angry if an inspector told me sort the plastic and papers out when right at home for the last several months we've had our waste taken away at seemingly random days. Our bin men supposed to come out on a Wednesday, we're forced to leave out bins out when they don't turn up. Yet at the same time we get a fine ourselves for leaving bins out over night on the streets.
I can't help but feel that the inspector needs suspension so he can clear his own head and not take actions that are based on his own emotions (however highrate they got) rather then what he supposed to be inspecting, and ultimately doing his job.
If it was another professional body letting emotions get the better of their job there'd be hell to pay.
It's left me wondering if the inspector actually took any of the argument between him and Paul on-board after the event and tried to find a solution that caused Paul to be angry or was it simply to give a suspension his solution ? What happens next, Paul is arrested?”
by lordship42
Sunday, November 25 2012, 3:14PM
“I would like to reply to mommanoesbest, I doubt mr Pickstone finds it accecptable for his staff to be laid of?
Here we have a man with an unblemished record(until he met the market inspector) of working and running his stall for 25 years and giving a job to 5 or 6 staff .
He has had to get up at 4am every morning wind snow or rain and work 6 days a week till 6pm.
He has to drive a HGV to load his veg etc and select and buy the veg.
his girls cannot do this they only sell the fruit and veg.
But most import is the fact that while his stall is shut he still has to pay the council £950 a week rent!! does this sound like a bad employer..no!! he has no option to close for the 2 weeks.
I hope councill shotten in his nice cosy over paid job (we have one of the worst councils and most run down city in great Britain) relents and lets the poor man open again”
by Reality
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:31PM
“As is your other comment about fresher and cheaper in supermarkets!
You keep believing the hype ,sit in your ivory tower with your tesco club card ,while the rest of us mere mortals laugh at your naivety, while counting the cash we have saved .”
by Reality
Sunday, November 25 2012, 2:26PM
“Elitist tosh !!!”
by labour-len
Sunday, November 25 2012, 12:27PM
“And to think that the council are trying to get businesses to locate to hanley and see a council official and a stall tennant having handbags at dawn, it is enough to put anyone off coming to town”