Minutes:
Nick Rhodes, Head of Markets and Enterprise explained that the outdoor market consisted of 261 fixed wooden stalls, which comprised approximately 70 blocks. Further to this, Nick stated that there were fifteen fixed units within the outdoor market. The overall occupancy rate was currently 82%, with fewer vacant stalls on Fridays and Saturdays.
In terms of the composition of the outside market stalls, it was reported that approximately 40% were food stalls with the remaining 60% of stalls selling non-food goods.
In terms of the indoor market, Nick explained that there were five levels of trading space. He reported that there were 13 non-food units on the ground floor, all of which were currently let. The first floor had 13 non food units and 4 food units out of a total of 21 available units, with 22 out of 26 let on Floor 2, 12 out of 12 let on Floor 3 and 18 out of 19 let on Floor 4. The market cafeteria was situated on Floor 5. It was also stated that a number of non-fixed stalls often traded within the market square.
In was reported that the following food goods could be consumed from the market:
|
Fruit and vegetables |
Bread |
Salad |
Pre-baked bread and cakes |
Asian food |
|
Caribbean food |
Herbs and spices |
Flowers and plants, including dried-flowers |
Fish – including frozen |
Pet foods |
|
Fresh meat |
Delicatessen |
Cheese |
Game |
Cooked meats |
|
Sweets |
Polish bread and produce |
Olives |
Tripe-offal |
Canned food |
The following non-food goods and services that could be consumed from the market were listed:
|
Underwear/ lingerie |
Outerwear (male and female) |
Shoes and hats |
Gloves and scarves |
Socks/tights |
|
Make-up |
Leatherwear |
Hand-bags |
Toys |
Greeting cards |
|
Net curtains |
Luggage |
Fire-wood |
Wool |
Phones |
|
Hairdressing |
Evening-wear |
Retro clothing |
Records |
Pottery |
|
Books |
Magazines |
Dress-making |
Heel-bar |
Key cutting/ engraving |
|
Cameras |
General second-hand goods |
Jewellery |
Antiques |
Ornaments |
|
Memorabilia |
Baby-wear |
Baby accessories |
Kitchen utensils |
Hoovers |
|
Crystal |
Smoking paraphernalia |
Computer software/repairs |
Computer games/ consoles |
Fabric |
Please note that it was made clear that this list was not exhaustive of all goods and services that could be consumed at the market.
Some Members were of the view that the general second-hand stall lowered the overall feel of the market due to the way the goods were displayed on the table. Nick explained that there was a demand for quality second hand goods, and that this stall was often the busiest one within the market. Whilst discussing the layout of the market, it was also felt that some level of re-organisation was needed, which could encourage people to walk towards the indoor market. Nick acknowledged the suggestion, but felt that it would difficult to persuade more established traders to move towards the indoor market. It was suggested that stall-holders, particularly those who provided second-hand goods, could be offered assistance with displaying their goods on their stalls.
The Task Group discussed some of the problems around the distribution of stolen goods, and the possibility of customer fear from shopping at the market. It was acknowledged that a greater level of camera/CCTV protection was required to help to alleviate such problems.
A Member of the Task Group queried the impact that the emergence of several low-budget high street retailers had had on the market, particularly in relation to the clothing stalls. Market traders felt that the effect of these stores had been detrimental to trader profits. It was also mentioned that the emergence of such larger stalls had also led to the closure of several smaller retail units situated close to the market.
In terms of possible alternative services to be provided at the market, one member suggested the creation of a virtual stall to allow people to purchase goods online at a small cost. It was pointed out that the central lending library offered free internet use, and that any charging policy would have to be carefully thought through.
It was also suggested that work could be undertaken to encourage more craft stalls to operate at the market.
One Member asked for figures on the number of stalls that had left the market and those that had began trading in the last three years. Nick did not have such information to hand but agreed to supply members with an accurate set of figures. He estimated that there had been a net loss of approximately twenty stalls over the last there years. However, he did point out that there had been a significant increase recently in the number of casual market traders, and that this could be a consequence of rising unemployment. In terms of food stalls, Nick explained that virtually all of those that were currently operating had done so for at least three years.
One commonly raised theme concerned how the market was advertised. It was felt that wider advertising was required to remind the public of the vast range of goods and services offered at the market. Members felt that there were many specialist services available at the market that added tremendous value to the market and could attract people who would not normally access the market. It was felt that advertising campaigns could be used to target this element of service provision at the market in order to widen the scope of people who regularly used it.