WHEN will the saga of rents at the Covered Market end? The dispute over proposed rents has been rumbling on for far too long and most reasonable people would have expected the announcement of a figure by an arbitrator would have been the end of this particular round.

But no. The two sides seem even more implacable in their differences and the waters are completely muddied.

The two sides agreed to seek arbitration and this has come back recommending rises of between three and 12 per cent.

Traders, who had been facing original demands of 70 per cent, are naturally delighted and want the council to hold up what they see is its obligation.

The council, for its part, is saying there has been a mistake by the arbitrator.

And the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors is neither confirming nor denying there is an error.

It is just an unholy mess. You can understand why both sides are standing their ground, but at some point there needs to be progression.

That market is a jewel in this city’s crown. But it needs stability and a clear vision of where it is heading.

Having the traders and council at loggerheads means that vision cannot be realised by either party.

The traders need the certainty of costs for their business and the council can only provide a leadership role if it has a good and supportive relationship with its tenants.

To retain any uncertainty over the credibility of the arbitration’s conclusions is truly farcical.

This shambles needs sorting out...now.