People across the city have slammed the council's "scandalous" decision to charge a street food trader £6,000 to keep her usual pitch for Eurovision.
Patsy Murphy, 64, comes from a family of street traders who have served the city for generations. She runs The Deli food stall at the Pier Head with her niece Rebecca Molloy. They said they were invited to set up the stall by the council in 2010 to offer affordable food to tourists and locals enjoying the waterfront.
The ECHO reported this week how Patsy was sent a letter by Liverpool City Council ahead of Eurovision which said if they wish to continue trading in their usual pitch for the nine days leading up to the final of the song contest, then they will be charged £6,000 to do so. This is because their pitch falls within what will be the Eurovision Village and the council has temporarily suspended all existing street trading licenses in the area. Traders can reapply, but at a cost of £6,000.
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Patsy, whose mother and grandmother were both street traders in Liverpool, said she was not consulted on the move and will refuse to pay the costs because she would have to pass it on to her customers.
Since the ECHO shared the news, hundreds of people have had their say over the council's decision, which many described as "scandalous" and "pure greed".
Posting on the ECHO's Facebook page, Mike Moran said: "Disgrace. You're there all year, all weather, serving local people and tourists. Who are they going to put there?"
Pauline Allt said: "Oh my god that’s just disgusting there must be something we can do to help her and all the other street traders. Come on Liverpool City Council have a heart."
Margaret Farrell said: "Totally out of order. These ladies have fed us locals and many, many tourists for years. Often the only trader at the Pierhead.
"Surely an exception can be made for them? This is actually their work base and the site should be recognised as such. Probably this is the only time they would be able to make any decent profit."
Kathy Kearns said: "Disgraceful! Not only are tourists getting ripped off with hotel prices but to do that to the traders of this city that have worked so hard is shameful. Pure greed at its finest!"
Suzanna Hatton-Pearson said: "I could understand a small increase but £6k bloody ridiculous! Fight this ladies. Good luck."
Annette Camilleri said: "Totally out of order by Liverpool council, forcing her to pay this amount. Would think she will more than recoup her money back with the influx of visitors coming to Liverpool for the Eurovision."
In the ECHO's commenting section, user SteGriff1967 said: "Absolutely disgusting. This family have been part of Liverpool's street trade for nearly 100 years, generation after generation....let's hope the council backtrack on this scandalous decision and support our local traders."
Skinnyhead23 suggested paying the money would be worth it, saying: "They will make that ten fold with the extra traffic passing through."
A spokesperson for Liverpool City Council said: “The Eurovision Village is expecting over 15,000 people every day and to maximise public safety for all, it has been necessary to temporarily suspend the permits for existing traders on the Pier Head.
“In recognition of this disruption we have invited the affected street traders to apply to be a part of the Village. The pitch fees are in line with an event of this scale. There are also additional requirements vendors need to meet, such as the sustainability policies of Eurovision and, for security reasons, to be cashless.
“By choosing not to trade within the Eurovision Village the traders have the option of being relocated to another site without any additional fee.”
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