Worried traders had “constructive” talks with council representatives last night amid increasing concern they could face bigger bills if a private firm takes over the management of the Inverness Victorian Market.
A council decision was deferred last month after a last-minute plea from shopkeepers not to rush things.
City Provost Helen Carmichael and city manager David Haas hosted the latest in a series of meetings with traders, in the arcade itself.
A mood of apprehension reportedly turned to something approaching confidence as shopkeepers aired their views and councillors including Mrs Carmichael listened.
Replacement of the property’s roof in 2012 at a cost of £966,000 in 2012 and works planned for the Academy Street entrance will result in the market operating at a loss to the city’s common good fund.
One option to address that is for a private operator to take over the management of the iconic venue.
For the traders, many questions remain unanswered in terms of the expected additional cost to them for maintaining the ageing complex.
Gordon Grant, who has run Boarstone Tartans in the market for more than four decades, confirmed that the dialogue had been “civilised and constructive.”
The discussions lasted more than an hour and are scheduled to resume tonight (WED) at a separate debate at the Spectrum Centre hosted by the city’s civic trust.
Councillors will be asked at the next city committee meeting to instruct the council to proceed to tender for the management of the market.
If implemented, the contract would run for a five-year period. The council would retain ownership of the market.
Speaking after the 90-minute exchange, Mr Haas said: “It was a constructive discussion. We listened carefully.
“They listened to us and the meeting ended positively with a mutual understanding that everyone wants to see a vibrant market.
“All we’re doing at this time is asking councillors to back us, to look at the options.”
Councillors will consider seeking expressions of interest from the private sector for taking on the responsibility of the property “to gain better returns in the future as well as improve opportunity for business growth.”