OXFORD City Council is in a tricky position as landlord of the city’s iconic Covered Market.

Today we once again report traders’ complaints about the level of rent the city sets.

On one hand the council has a duty to maximise the return on its assets for taxpayers.

On the other it has to do all it can to help the city and its centre survive and thrive as a place to live and do business.

We have heard arguments before from traders in the market that rents are too steep but you have to question the council’s stance over the unit which used to house Palm’s Delicatessen.

According to the traders’ association, the council used to rent it out for £25,000 a year but is now seeking £40,000.

And it has been standing empty for a year.

That surely tells the story: the price is set at a level the current market will not meet.

What makes more financial sense: 52 weeks of a lower rent or no weeks of a notional higher rent?