Spalding market traders react to South Holland District Council plan for new stalls
Market traders are calling for their voices to be heard after the council unveiled new plans for the town.
Last week we revealed that the district council aims to purchase new easy-to-assemble gazebo-style stalls to create a uniform look to the markets in a bid to woo new traders and shoppers.
One Spalding market trader explained there are similar pop-up stalls at Bourne market which help support traders in the wet and windy weather and stop weather disruption to sales –and said the stalls are also well presented and pleasing to the eye.
Dan Twaite, fruit and veg market trader, said: “I think it would look quite smart, it’s got to be done right if it is going to work.”
Craig Lyons, of Nutritious Vibes, said: “The new plans would be nice for a bit of investment, jazz the town up and make it look a bit more tidy.”
Other market traders explained they didn’t know much about the new plans due to a lack of communication from the council.
Dan said: “It would be nice if they did discuss everything with us, they almost always decide everything and tell us afterwards.
“It would be nice to have our voices heard – whether that would ever happen, that’s a different story.”
Craig added: “It would be nice if they could consult with us about what the market traders actually need.”
However, one trader - who did not wish to be named - said the new stalls idea was ‘pie in the sky’.
Council leader Nick Worth wants to move on from a period in which traders and the council were at odds over who should put up and take down stalls.
He says the revival of the markets – as well as bringing people in from Springfields – is a key priority to boost the high street, which has been in the spotlight since Coneys closed at the start of June.
What do you think? Join the debate and email andrew.brookes@iliffepublishing.co.uk
