Wisbech Market Place report welcomed by town councillor who says 'we're already addressing issues'
An independent report on Wisbech Market Place has been welcomed by the town council with plans already largely in place to address issues raised.
Representatives from the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) carried out a free survey of the market and the way it operates during a visit to the town in August.
The report of their findings is now set to go to the town council for discussion, but Councillor Andrew Lynn, chairman of the market's committee, is confident the authority is already on top of most of the points raised.
He said plans drawn up to improve the Market Place, which include pedestrianisation from 7am to 4pm daily, together with new planters, a children's play area and a water feature, will address some of the negative comments.
Coun Lynn also argued the report is largely positive highlighting the market's setting and also applauding the free parking.
It said: "Of note are the car parking charges in the town, with an excellent provision of free short- term parking and extremely reasonable charges for lengthier stays. Such a stance is to be applauded given the pressures on local authorities and the natural propensity to view parking as steady and available source of revenue.
"Low or free parking where appropriate is a major retail driver, a fact long understood by supermarkets and out of town retail developments. Ease of access and parking are likely to remain significant."
However, the report was critical of the market running seven days a week and suggests cutting the days to make market days more "special".
It also suggested removing the car boot element of the Thursday market day and moving it to a quieter day like Tuesday. Correspondingly they would like to see Sunday's market be a car boot only day.
However, Coun Lynn said these issues have all previously been discussed by the markets committee and there has never been full agreement on making changes to the market days.
He said: "The car boots do bring in some income and more importantly footfall to the town."
He also pointed out that the current plans, which are set to go out for public consultation shortly, will also address other issues raised in the report including criticisms over the parking of vans on the Market Place and also suggests a need for a more planned approach to stall locations.
This is especially relevant on quieter trading days when the stalls are spread out and suggests traders should be encouraged to be closer together to give a better overall appearance.
The report also said: "Mention has been made of the road closure – which is to be applauded given its location at the side of the market. Pedestrian zones are a major benefit in enticing custom and providing a feel-good factor to shopping."
But adds: "It is understood that the road closure is not on each market day. This is a real negative as the customers to the town clearly appreciated the benefit of the pedestrian zone and only having a road closure on certain market days is confusing to all and can be a hazard if customers believe an area to be traffic free."
This Coun Lynn said will be addressed by the proposed pedestrianisation of the Market Place between 7am and 4pm with access to 10am for deliveries.
Traders will also be encouraged to park their vans centrally to give the market a tidier appearance.
Other concerns such as the poor state of electrical boxes and the removal of stalls before 2pm will also be addressed by the planned improvements.
Coun Lynn concluded: "Overall the report is positive and it will help drive our plans to improve the Market Place. I would urge everyone interested to take part in the public consultation when it is launched, so they can have their say."
