Urge for action on area’s markets

A campaign to promote South Holland’s markets is set to launch as a councillor argued it ‘needs to be done quickly’ and that previous councillors had let them down.
Coun Chris Brewis told last week’s meeting of South Holland District Council it needed to be ‘a vigorous’ campaign.
Deputy leader Coun Tracey Carter responded that she’d been sent a design for gazebos being planned and that a van had been purchased.
She also commented that there would be some stalls on offer for potential new traders.
It follows the council previously providing stalls for traders but having stopped the service a few years.
“It’s so we can encourage new traders and promote the teenage market,” said Coun Carter. “If traders don’t want to us the gazebos we will provide, that’s fine, but we’re going to find some canopy covers so they tie in with our gazebos so there’s a really nice attractive look across all of the markets.
“There are banners now up in Holbeach and it’s coming for other towns on a similar theme.
“There’s new signage while Spalding’s is outdated and not particularly clear, so we’re going to look at new ones there.
“We’ve also had discussions with Live and Local about bringing some acts into the towns and tying something in for the markets.
“The campaign is not underway, but the jigsaw pieces are coming together. Things are not moving as quickly as I’d like, but they are moving forward.”
Coun Brewis responded: “I’m far more confident with Coun Carter’s interest after many years of total neglect from previous portfolio holders. We’ve a lot of damage to put right.”