TOWN councillors have been frustrated that the regular farmers’ market in Wellington is continuing to operate without a licence.

Members of Wellington Town Council heard at their latest meeting that the market – held twice a month in the town centre on Saturdays – does not have a licence to operate.

The farmers’ market is in the process of applying for a licence but councillors were concerned that it should not be operating until it has one.

Cllr Mark Lithgow told councillors it was unfair that retailers have to pay business rates and other charges but market stallholders were turning up and trading without a licence.

Councillors said that a farmers’ market was good for Wellington but it needed to have a street licence.

They agreed that the market should be split between the current location outside the Co-op and the promotional space outside the former Post Office due to social distancing.

The farmers’ market has said it would prefer to be operating on the other side of Fore Street outside the TUI travel agency but councillors have said it would not be suitable.