The traders’ uncertain future
The historic market hall in Harbourton is inaccessible in more ways than one. It is not merely all but impossible for shoppers to walk through the fenced building in their quest to reach the famous family stalls of the area, (9) ________ can the market’s former traders, the local vendors, literally penetrate it at all. Strictly (10) ________, of course, the locked gate does not prevent developers from going in search of the valuable land directly beneath it; it just severely delays them as they work. However, notwithstanding the difficulty encountered as soon as they enter the ageing structure, (11) ________ in mind that at least they can access this historic place. Entry is not an option afforded any longer to its original working community, the local vendors. The vendors were evicted from the site last spring based on the council’s desire to make it exclusively a shopping complex – great for the future tenants, yet you can’t help (12) ________ wonder how fair that was on the traders. They appear to have got the (13) ________ straw to say the least, receiving little compensation on account of not holding formal leases (14) ________ their traditional informal way of trading. Since that time, they have been in a never-ending struggle for their shared livelihood. They cannot afford to (15) ________ big and dream of a very secure, wealthy lifestyle. Instead, they want only (16) ________ which everyone deserves – a decent existence.