The Towns Centre Manager will give an update to the Committee on the King’s Lynn Market.
Minutes:
The Town Centres Manager gave a presentation to the Committee on King’s Lynn markets.
He explained that in 2013 traders were relocated to the town centre pitches ahead of the Tuesday Market Place revamp. Some traders needed to shrink in size in order for them to be accommodated. A few decided to relinquish as they would not be able to trade unless their van was with their pitch. Footfall increased on Baxter’s Plain and New Conduit Street as a result/.
An Informal Working Group was set up in January 2014 where a number of stakeholders were interviewed. The results were reported to the REC Panel in March 2014.
The main points from the report included:
· Removing the restrictive policy on the number of stalls selling the same or similar products to allow new traders if they committed to a long-term booking.
· Setting a standard for stalls in terms of visual presentation and assist in upgrading the existing stalls. It was proposed that the Blue and Gold be adopted as the King’s Lynn colour theme.
· The Tuesday Market in King’s Lynn should operate on both the Tuesday Market Place (new granite area) and in the town centre.
- Granite area allowing some space allocated for stall holders’ vehicles if these need to be adjacent to or part of the market stall.
- To limit the impact on parking, at least half of the 20 minute parking bays to be retained as available.
- Increase charges for market stalls in the town centre locations only on Tuesdays by 50% which is to implemented this financial year.
A meeting was held with Market Traders earlier this month.
· Discussion regarding the reintroduction of stalls on the Tuesday Market Granite Area.
· Those currently trading in the town centre were being given first refusal to return, or they can remain where they are.
· No complaints were received regarding:
- 50% rent increase being implemented this financial year for those that remain in the town centre
- Or stalls selling the same or similar products.
· Looking to implement the Tuesday Market Place granite area once all responses from current traders had been received.
Councillor Smith asked what would happen if the granite area on the Tuesday Market Place was full. In response, the Town Centres Manager explained that an extra area could be provided on the non-car park area and if necessary some car parking spaces could be taken back for the market.
Councillor Gourlay asked whether planning permission was required for the markets within the town centre and who would need to apply. The Town Centres Manager outlined the process that would be required. He also outlined the fee structure which had been agreed with the Vancouver Quarter.
Councillor Kittow expressed concern that the market on the Saturday Market Place appeared to be dying off and there was currently only a fish van trading on a Saturday. The Town Centre Manager explained that different initiatives had taken place such as giving traders 4 weeks free use of the Saturday Market with a view to charging on the 5th week however the traders did not come back after the 4th week.
The Regeneration and Economic Development Manager explained that later in the meeting the Committee would be receiving a presentation from the THI Project Officer on the THI scheme, the main aim of which was to regenerate those areas. He explained that a small market had been piloted with Market Bistro, which proved to be a successful day, but when finances were required the interest disappeared. He acknowledged that this was a difficult location as traders wanted to be where the footfall was. This was a key area and with the THI works being carried out then hopefully people would be encouraged to visit that part of town.
The THI Project Officer explained that on 12 and 13 September to tie in with the Heritage Open Day, there would be a Butchers, Barbers and Beer event taking place on the Saturday Market Place.
Councillor Smith asked whether stalls could be given to traders for free on the Saturday Market Place for those traders wishing to start up. The Town Centres Manager explained that this had happened in the past and had been used for a couple of weeks but then the traders did not come back. He explained that he would prefer some kind of system where traders paid a fee in advance and were refunded if they traded, otherwise stalls could be set up with no-one showing up to trade.
In response to comment from Councillor Gourlay, the Town Centres Manager explained that there was still a charity stall available every Tuesday along Tower Street.
The Chairman thanked the Town Centres Manager for an interesting presentation.