A not for profit community group have apologised for not running their usual market stall last Friday after claiming they were refused entry to trade by the town council.

Dartmouth Community Chest, the volunteer group that helps people in Dartmouth and the surrounding villages have said they were refused entry to the market square on Friday despite booking out the area since last year. The group have said this is due to a decision made by Dartmouth Town Council who run the market square.

On Facebook, the Friends of Dartmouth Community Chest posted: “We arrived early as usual and were told by the market manager we can no longer trade on our inside table that we’ve hired at full price since October.”

The group have now been told they must trade outside in the car park of the market square which they have said is “more expensive” and “not suitable” for the work they do in the community. On market days, a few tables are used by the community chest volunteers to sell donated products and the funds raised are used to help vulnerable people in the community.

On these days many pensioners and vulnerable people come to the stall for company and help.

“This can’t happen by the roadside” the Facebook post continued, which could be the only solution if the charity are refused entry again.

“I don’t blame the market manager, past or present or the staff, they are just following orders from the council and have always been supportive of our work” added the Friends of Dartmouth Community Chest.

“Our stall is vital to keep our charity running, we don’t receive much funding and they have cut us off with no explanation as to why. “We were supposed to have a meeting with the council to discuss all of this but before that they’ve already made a decision and we have to just put up with it.“This town deserves better. We will always fight injustice, poverty and homelessness in our area. It’s time for action and we’ll keep you posted on the outcome.”The group is encouraging as many people as possible to attend the full town council meeting this evening where the issue will be discussed. The meeting is at 7pm in the Guildhall in Dartmouth and any members of the public are invited to attend.

Updates to follow from the community chest volunteers and from the town council at a meeting this evening.