Emily Darlington backs CMK Market

CMK Market will not survive, if proposals to move the market and make way for a new Primark are approved by Milton Keynes Council according to hard pressed market traders.   

Market traders met with Emily Darlington and local Labour Councillor Paul Williams to express their fear that the market would be lost to CMK and they would lose their livelihoods.

This meeting took place one week after market traders served a deputation at a meeting of Milton Keynes Council to outline their concerns. Market traders also expressed their anger at not being consulted over the plans, which they say would see CMK Market moved to a site with less footfall and 40% less space than the original.

Emily Darlington, Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson for Milton Keynes North opposed plans to move CMK Market after meeting with concerned market traders about the impact on their business and local residents.  

Milton Keynes Council will decide whether to approve the planning application at a meeting of the Development Control Committee later this year. English Heritage have also written in opposition to the plans.

 Emily Darlington, the Labour Parliamentary Spokesperson for Milton Keynes North said, "I am shocked and appalled that market traders have not been consulted over plans which will have a massive impact on their livelihoods and could see an end to over 400 jobs.

 “I am not opposed to a new Primark being built in Central Milton Keynes but the Council should investigate better locations in CMK where this could be built without destroying the market or our central grid roads.

Emily Darlington continued “CMK Market is an important part of the cultural make-up of Milton Keynes. If we lose it, we lose a part of our history”.

Cllr Paul Williams, Labour Councillor for Campbell Park Ward concluded, “Having listened to the views of local residents, and the market traders, I am opposed to the current plans for this development. The proposed development would not only destroy our central grid roads and inconvenience commuters, it would put at risk a vibrant market which is an asset to our community.