It was good to read David Cinavas’s letter (June 23), suggesting that the best way for the retailers of Holbeach to succeed is to work together, including those trading on the street market.
Unfortunately, with his suggestion that South Holland District Council doesn’t share his vision, Mr Cinavas has misunderstood the context in which my comments were being made.
As cabinet member for environmental services, which includes our street markets, I was asked about the concerns raised following the trial move of the market to the car park.
There were two reasons for the trial move. Firstly, the safety of shoppers moving around the stalls, following an incident, that highlighted the narrowness of the pavement site.
Even without this issue, we also had real concerns about the loss of traders and extreme difficulty we were having in attracting new ones.
Both these issues seem to be related to the market’s existing location, hence the trial move to the car park.
My comments were therefore made as the cabinet member with responsibility for keeping all our street markets viable, sustainable and attractive to use and not on behalf of the district council as a whole.
I understand a number of proposals have been put forward to enable those trading in Holbeach town centre gain custom from the now revitalised market.
South Holland District Council is investing in a growth agenda on behalf of our taxpayers.
Maintaining and increasing the viability and sustainability of our town centres and their retail offer, are key elements in this.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones
Cabinet member for environmental services
South Holland District Council
