Battle over market could get costly
Thursday, 5th August 2010.
The battle over the future location of Haverhill's Friday market is still going on and could end up at a costly public inquiry.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council has been keen to move the market into High Street and off the market square on Fridays, as it is on Saturdays.
A recent report by the National Association of British Markets Authorities (NABMA) concluded the Friday market was struggling and would benefit from being moved into High Street.
But the required traffic regulations to close the street, which went out to public consultation in June, have resulted in objections from disabled blue badge holders and from Gurteens, who want to keep their main entrance for customers' access.
If the council presses ahead with the proposed closure and market move, the objectors may take it to a public inquiry which could be very costly for council tax payers.
A meeting of interested parties last week heard from NABMA's policy development manager Krys Zasada that the Friday market could close if it is not relocated.
NABMA's report suggested various general improvements to both Bury and Haverhill markets, but added some extra recommendations for Haverhill, that the council should:
• Review the stall layout of its Saturday market to ensure that accessibility and permeability are improved as well as access to surrounding shops. The review should also consider the offer that first greets the customer in terms of the visual attractiveness of the commodity and stall layout.
• Continue with its plan to relocate the Friday market from the market square to the high street, in line with the above.
• Seek closer working arrangements with the town council and town centre manager to better integrate the market with the specialist markets bprovided by the town council.
St Edmundsbury Borough Council has been keen to move the market into High Street and off the market square on Fridays, as it is on Saturdays.
A recent report by the National Association of British Markets Authorities (NABMA) concluded the Friday market was struggling and would benefit from being moved into High Street.
But the required traffic regulations to close the street, which went out to public consultation in June, have resulted in objections from disabled blue badge holders and from Gurteens, who want to keep their main entrance for customers' access.
If the council presses ahead with the proposed closure and market move, the objectors may take it to a public inquiry which could be very costly for council tax payers.
A meeting of interested parties last week heard from NABMA's policy development manager Krys Zasada that the Friday market could close if it is not relocated.
NABMA's report suggested various general improvements to both Bury and Haverhill markets, but added some extra recommendations for Haverhill, that the council should:
• Review the stall layout of its Saturday market to ensure that accessibility and permeability are improved as well as access to surrounding shops. The review should also consider the offer that first greets the customer in terms of the visual attractiveness of the commodity and stall layout.
• Continue with its plan to relocate the Friday market from the market square to the high street, in line with the above.
• Seek closer working arrangements with the town council and town centre manager to better integrate the market with the specialist markets bprovided by the town council.
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