Angry traders at Leicester Wholesale Market are demanding to know why a nearby college has dumped them after 20 years of trading.
Leicester College, based in the city, has been spending £2,000 a month on fruit and vegetables from the wholesale market in Commercial Square, which is just 300 yards from the college.
But, under a new regime, the college has switched to an unnamed supplier 40 miles away in Birmingham.
The college, which runs further and higher education courses, said that the move is “quality-based.” But that has been branded as “absolute nonsense” by traders on Leicester Market.
Traders did not want to be named, but one said: “We have been providing fruit and veg for the college’s culinary and catering students for over 20 years, and the college should be supporting these local businesses.
“It doesn’t make sense for them to get supplies from Birmingham when we are basically across the road.
“And the issue about quality is nonsense - it’s all the same stuff. Customers come and go these days, but when you have dealt with someone for 20 years you don‘t expect this.”
Local councillor Paul Westley, who is the city’s spokesman for markets, said: “The market and traders and the people they supply employ a lot of young people, many of whom went to the college.
“I hope the college will re-think this move. With so many local businesses struggling, it is really important to support them as much as possible.”
A college spokesman said: “The suppliers used by the college are benchmarked and reviewed on a continual basis based on quality of produce, price and service.”
Some produce, he added, was still bought locally, but the vast majority of supplies were now being brought in from Birmingham.
He would not confirm or deny traders’ claims that the decision to move to Birmingham had been made by a recently appointed manager in charge of produce ordering.
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