Market stallholders in Machynlleth will be sent a letter about Covid-19 regulations following concerns regarding social distancing last year.

Machynlleth Town Council is to send a letter to market stallholders reminding them of the rules regarding Covid-19 and informing them of an increase in fees for the coming summer.

Deputy mayor Cllr Tony Jones said: “Everything was measured and we seem to be undercharging the market.”

Julie Humphreys, Plas facilities manager, produced a report on the market, which was discussed by councillors.

Ms Humphreys explained her report revealed “a lot of problems between the shop holders and stall holders during the return after lockdown”. She added that the stalls were being “charged incorrectly” as they were being charged winter rates all year round.

Cllr Michael Williams said: “I think we should give traders a bit of time, and not do it instantaneously.”

In terms of ensuring social distancing, Cllr Ann MacGarry said: “One issue, I suppose, is that at the moment they spread themselves out, we need to have enough room for the other stalls when they come back.”

Cllr Williams added: “We did have a markets panel that met twice annually.

“On that there were two or three representatives of the market traders as well and Mike, our market manager. It seemed to work very well indeed. I don’t know if councillors who were on that panel could recall it. You had the views of all and the general consensus always ended up with very reasonable suggestions.”

Cllr Tony Jones said: “Is there any way the panel could continue online?”

Cllr Gareth Jones said: “It beggars belief, I know I’m saying this from a position as just coming in as a councillor, that it wasn’t addressed last summer.

“Here we are with two weeks to go and there’s nothing in place yet.”

However, councillors also spoke of fears that taking the market off the street would mean it would “disappear as it has in other places”.

Cllr Gareth Jones added: “I certainly don’t want to see the market go into the Plas, that was something I said. But we cant return to how things were last summer.”

Councillors also discussed reminding stall owners that vehicles could not be parked on the street, which Ms Humphreys stated was in the market agreement.

Cllr Tony Jones said: “Why don’t we put in the rules and regulations and say ‘look this is what is going to happen this year, we’re going to put the prices up dependent on the measurements of your stall’.

“We give that to them when they come and then say next month you will pay these charges and abide by these rules. It is put in writing to them that vehicles are not to be parked on the street.”

It was agreed the letter would be sent to the stallholders and a letter to the county council and the police urging them to enforce social distancing.