Could Sunday and indoor markets help to rejuvenate Spalding town centre?
Markets are going to play a key role in turning around the fortunes of a town centre but could Sunday and craft sessions help bring more footfall?
South Holland District Council chairman Jan Whitbourn put forward suggestions of introducing an indoor market along with restoring Sunday sessions during a debate on the new Spalding Town Board plans to spend the £20million Government Plan for Neighbourhood cash.
The proposal, which has been out to consultation, states that supporting the market could be a ‘quick win’ to revitalise the town centre among other proposals such as adding a canopy over Hall Place.
During the joint Policy Development and Performance Monitoring Panels meeting, Coun Whitbourn said: “I am going to be positive about Spalding. Back when Bruce Wakeling was the town centre manager, he had funds coming his way and we started to do a market on a Sunday once a month. Then it progressed to once a fortnight as it was so successful.
“In the end we had 56 stalls it was absolutely amazing.”
The Spalding Wygate councillor also put forward a suggestion of creating an indoor market within the town centre, which went down well with council leader, Coun Nick Worth.
He said: “I am aware of a real underground movement of craft people in South Holland and I think a lot of people would be interested in that.
“The Hub in Sleaford have a lot of people with small desks working on crafts or art and selling them on”
He later added: "Anyone that wants to go on the first Sunday of the month to Holbeach indoor market you can see 40 stalls in the sports hall. It attracts a lot of people. Finding the venue is the challenge. We had someone come to look at the South Holland Centre but they felt it was not quite big enough.”
Coun Nanette Chapman, who represents Holbeach, questioned if trying to bring back the market was the right idea for a modern age.
She said: “We are looking to bring back the feel of an old market town and I’m not sure that is the way we need to go. I don’t know anyone that uses markets these days.”
But this view was later challenged by The Saints representative, Coun Laura Eldridge.
She said: “I have to disagree with a few members who said that markets are a thing of the past. If you to to Stamford market, that is an absolutely brilliant example of a thriving market town and a town centre.
“I appreciate that it’s Spalding not Stamford, but you have to start somewhere. The introduction of cobbles and aesthetics to the town is a good chance to improve the town centre.”
She also called for street food festival after attending a similar event at Burghley House.
Coun Eldridge said: “People will travel for good food and if we increase the foot fall we to to have a chance to fill empty shops.
“The canopy is a brilliant idea but we need to ensure the PSPO (rules to prevent street drinking and anti-social behaviour) is enforced.”
Coun Worth agreed that street food was popular and that could be opportunities for that.
Coun Margaret Geaney called for the town’s existing market stalls to be open longer.
The Donington, Quadring and Gosberton councillor said: “I come to Spalding at about 1.30pm and find all the market stalls have closed. Is there a possibility to have it open for longer in the afternoon.
“A lot of people come in after lunch and by that time the market traders have left.”
She also called for the amount of free parking being offered at the private car park, Holland Market, to be extended in order to allow shoppers to have lunch and visit the stores.
Coun Worth said it might not be viable for market traders to be open longer and that they already have a very long day.
The meeting was also told that the South Holland District Council’s economic development team was going to get in touch with all business owners in the town centre to understand what their plans are and if they need support.