Doubters should eat 'humble pie' over success of new market, says council leader

The leader of Caerphilly Council has suggested his opposite number should eat “humble pie” while toasting the success of the new Ffos Caerffili market.

The £4.65million shipping container-style market was originally scheduled to open in September last year, but was beset by delays. It finally opened on Friday April 5.

The site, on Park Lane, just behind the main street of Cardiff Road in Caerphilly opposite the castle, has space for 28 traders, with 25 confirmed by the local council, including some regular pop-ups.

At a meeting on Thursday April 18, Plaid Cymru opposition leader Lindsay Whittle called on council leader Sean Morgan to explain the delays, which had seen would-be traders “missing the Christmas trade”.

The Labour council leader said it was “unfortunate” the opening had been delayed, but blamed “record-breaking rainfall” and storms during the construction period, as well as unforeseen complications on the site.

“The success of the opening weekend suggests it was appropriate to wait,” Cllr Morgan said.

The council had also secured a European grant, meaning it had recouped nearly all of the money it had spent on the market, he added.

Turning to Cllr Whittle, the leader said: “I remember a conversation with yourself when you said [the market] would never happen.”

With chuckles from his Labour colleagues, Cllr Morgan offered to buy him a beer or some baked goods from Ffos Caerffili.

“Perhaps some humble pie,” he added.

Cllr Whittle rejected the suggestion he had not supported the market project, prompting jeers from some other councillors.

“I never eat humble pie”, Cllr Whittle said, adding that his “criticism was the container units” being placed next to Caerphilly’s famous medieval castle.

“Should it be unsuccessful, what will you do with [the containers] then?” he asked. “Will you put them back on a boat and send them away?”

Cllr Mike Adams, the mayor, told Cllr Whittle: “We will make sure that it does not ever fail.”

The council will “expand on its initial success”, the mayor added.

The market is currently open six days a week, only closing on Mondays.