The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Pitch fees, promotion and an easier booking process are all things under review as the district council looks to update its market policies.
Traders, retailers, residents, shoppers and stakeholders are being asked to have their say on the district’s markets, as part of the consultation.
South Holland District Council is consulting on its new draft Market Regulations Handbook, and the proposed fees and charges for its markets in Spalding, Holbeach, Long Sutton and Crowland.
The handbook, which was last updated in 2016, sets out a framework for each of the markets. It also contains proposals to continue to develop the markets, including promotion, ongoing support and collaboration and updating of the application and booking process to make it as user-friendly as possible for traders.
To support new stallholders and local micro-businesses wanting to try the markets, it would be possible to apply to hire a pop up stall (gazebo and table) from the council for up to six weeks for a small fee. The council will also continue to offer one free charity stall pitch on all of its markets.
Fees and charges are also being reviewed as part of the consultation, which are proposed to be reintroduced from October, having been fully waived since the beginning of the pandemic.
The council is proposing a revised set of fees designed to cover the core cost of running the markets.
Stalls would cost the same at all locations, with the exception of Long Sutton where it is proposed to include a contribution to the road closure costs.
The new fee structure would also allow charges to be reviewed annually and possibly reduced if the number of traders rose, ensuring costs are kept as low as possible.
Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “This public consultation gives people the opportunity to share their thoughts on markets, what they would like to see at them and what they think of our proposals for their future development.
“We want to make them accessible to new businesses, ensure fairness for all our traders and make our markets the primary destination to shop in the district. If you have an opinion, please take the time to complete the form and let us know what that is.”
The public consultation will run close at 5pm on Friday, July 30. Visit www.sholland.gov.uk/marketsconsultation.
Comments can be emailed to markets@sholland.gov.uk or submitted in writing to Market Regulations Handbook Consultation, Environmental Services, South Holland District Council, Priory Road, Spalding, PE11 2XE.
