The man who began the successful Portas Pilot entry for Hatfield, is aghast that the Town Team responsible for spending the £100,000 prize winnings have squandered over £44,000 on purchasing 60 new pop-up market stalls.

“There was nothing wrong with the existing ones!” exclaimed Cllr Dean Archer. “Early last year I was shown inside the Council's lock-up where the market stalls are kept. Many more stalls remained in storage than were used in the market square and they were in good condition. There were also 30 or 40 brand new red & white stall covers still in their packaging. We didn’t need to buy any new ones at all. As there is only a requirement for about a dozen stalls for the traditional market days and maybe 30 maximum, for the monthly farmers market – why on earth have they bought sixty? It’s plain crazy”

The Town Team’s purchase of the new stalls has also brought criticism from stallholders who, on Wednesday, complained that the new stalls are too flimsy and that they were not consulted about the matter.

The Town Team have also come under heavy criticism for the £27,000 purchase of a large portable stage that will spend 99% of its time in storage and will cost hundreds of pounds to set up on the rare occasions it will be used.

Councillor Archer continued, “ The Portas winnings were meant solely to be used to reinvigorate our dismal town centre. So far, 80% of it has been spent on unnecessary things that will not benefit the town centre at all. It is a shameful waste of a great opportunity to do some good”