I am writing as a concerned resident who regularly uses Spalding market and I am increasingly worried about how our market traders are being treated.
Week after week I speak to traders who tell me the same thing – they feel unsupported, ignored and left in the dark by South Holland District Council.
We all know how hard it is to run a small business at the moment, yet instead of support and flexibility, our traders seem to get silence.
When decisions are made that affect their pitches, their costs or the layout of the market, there is little or no communication.
When they ask for flexibility, perhaps to try a different day, move a pitch slightly to improve footfall, or trial new ideas, the answer appears to be a flat ‘no’ or no answer at all.
This is not good enough.
Spalding Market is not just a few stalls, it is the heart of our town centre.
It brings people into Spalding, supports other shops and cafes and gives our town its character and identity.
It has been here for centuries, yet without our traders there is no market.
Other towns bend over backwards to support their markets with promotion, communication and a bit of common sense flexibility.
Why can’t South Holland do the same?
I would urge SHDC to actually sit down and talk with the traders, not at them, listen to their concerns, communicate clearly and in advance about any changes, and show some willingness to be flexible.
A thriving market means a thriving Spalding and that benefits us all.
If we lose our traders through sheer lack of support, we will only have ourselves to blame.
Carol Hudson
Hawthorn Bank
Spalding
