An offer to run Spalding market will be made again by the body representing the town’s businesses.
Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce sees benefits in operating it and initially approached South Holland District Council last year. Chamber will give the local authority a nudge now that a report on a review of the district’s car parks and markets has been released.
The review – funded from the council’s economic development team budget – cost £16,000 and was completed by consultant Quarterbridge Project Man-agement Ltd last October. It was made public last week.
The report says with £20,000 capital investment on stalls, loss-making Spalding market could quickly be made into a profitable venture.
Quarterbridge suggests that it could then be viable to outsource the management of the market to a third party.
“This would reduce the income to SHDC but will reduce expenditure and provide a fixed source of income,” the report adds.
Chamber president Phil Scarlett said: “It is unacceptable in these days of financial constraint to operate this business at an apparent trading loss and our aim would be to investigate ways that this could be reduced or made profitable long term.
“Chamber believe that a vibrant market leads to a successful town centre.
“Where Chamber have a town centre manager in place it is a possible extension of this role.
“I must immediately say that Dennis [Hannant] is fully committed to delivering his plan for the town centre and it would not be his role to manage the market.
“We are a long way from talking about making a profit, let’s first have the discussion with the council.”
For Spalding, the report also suggests pedestrianisation of Sheep Market and part of New Road, an on-street bus station in New Road and removal of parking spaces in Market Place and The Crescent.
The aim is creating a town centre where people, not vehicles, have priority.
The report says routes to car parks should be signed to avoid “searching traffic”, car park signs should display space numbers and payment should be made on exit, rather than pre-payment as now. It also recommends more payment options such as cards and mobile phones.
Given the current financial climate, it is difficult to see some of the suggestions coming to fruition any time soon. But the report has prompted some much-needed conversation about the future and vitality of the town centre and all stakeholders will be keen to listen to feedback. Council cabinet members will discuss the report soon.
- To read the Quarterbridge report click here
Early reaction to the report:
Matt Clark (chairman of the Town Centre Management Board) – I have read with interest the report from Quarterbridge and I personally feel that they have captured effectively the requirement of the town centre development. In fact there are some points that I have personally made during the last ten years, in order to make the town more attractive and accessible to shoppers, as well as additional quality public space. The location and indeed subject of full pedestrianisation is yet to be discussed by our board, however personally I believe we need to look at other successful market towns, where embracing pedestrianisation has improved dwell time and the commercial activity.
The crossing between the Holland Market development, that has always had its back facing the town, is crying out to be widened in order to encourage more shoppers to our attractive market town centre. Again if budget permitted, allow the bus station to move from its current location to Swan Street. This budget could presumably at least partially come from the redevelopment of the current bus station into residential accommodation, perhaps even stretching as far as the Halley Stewart field, and therefore offering the town centre some much needed public green space. In general our members are and have been for some time in support of improving bus routes to and through the town, so this would be supported.
Of course the subject of charging for car parking is controversial, and evermore so since the news from retailers in Cardigan have suggested income increased during a period where their town centre machines were broken. Our retail members are quite vocal in the case that if the parking were totally free, more people would shop in the town. This is likely to be true. However, I personally believe that limited time free parking is the most detrimental operation at present. In the case of time restricted free, or indeed charged car parking, shoppers have no option than to rush back to their vehicles, without enjoying fully what the town has to offer. If the council has to charge in order to cover their costs then we need to look into a fair charge scheme, that encourages shoppers and indeed those who frequent the night-time economy in the town, to dwell longer. Redemption schemes and the like could be advantageous for this.
Finally, the subject of the market. It appears at least to be losing a great deal of tax payers money. Whilst again it appears that it is a great community asset, how long will this loss be permitted under the current and foreseeable austerity. Unfortunately, as with libraries, it seem inevitable that at least the markets in other towns other than Spalding in the district, will have no other option than to be operated by local interest groups. In many cases this actually provides an income and certainly an increased prospective of the continuity of the service. Spalding market is long passed an overhaul and therefore it is no wonder that suffering against our competing market towns. If Quarterbridge are to be believed, a relatively small investment of circa £20k, into the Spalding market would produce a surplus before the end of year one, and substantial income for years after. In my opinion it is overdue and imperative that the market used to provide wither an income to the town, or an increased footfall to help our retailers and leisure based businesses.
In conclusion, we now have confirmation from experts in the field, and I would be hopeful that SHDC use the findings of this long awaited report to benefit the town, its retailers and indeed its shoppers and residents.
Coun Gary Taylor (Spalding Castle (town centre) ward) – No decisions have been taken regarding this and this is an excellent opportunity to carefully consider the proposals, with a view to implement the sections of this which council, traders and the public believe will benefit Spalding.
We also need to be bold enough to reject proposals which we believe will disadvantage our environment and economy.
Car parking charges in Spalding are cheaper than surrounding areas, and we need to continue to provide parking in areas where it is required and keep the charge for this as low as possible.
We may need a more flexible and modern approach to parking and town centre activities in general, in order for Spalding town to be attractive and accessible.
