www.findamarket.net – *** NEWS ***

By Georgina Morris
THE new look Dewsbury Market has fully reopened after a major refurbishment.
Over the past year, traders and customers have seen the semi-covered and open markets spruced up as part of a £2.7m overhaul.

The scheme, which included new elec trics, a seating area and extended fish block, had been budgeted at £2.5m but ran £200,000 over because of structural problems, the harsh winter and individual needs of the many stalls.

Dewsbury Market Traders’ Association chairwoman Trish Makepeace said: “It’s been a long haul, but at last the market refurbishment has been completed.The market looks absolutely wonderful. It’s so much more vibrant and colourful.”

She said traders were grateful to customers for their loyalty during the work and to Kirklees Council for the investment.

Dewsbury Regeneration Board chairman Coun Paul Kane said: “The market is a focal point in Dewsbury bringing together people and communities and attracting visitors from far and wide.

“It is back to its award-winning standard and I’m sure that we’ll see a surge in new shoppers.”

source: Dewsbury Reporter

A CONTROVERSIAL review of a historic market has been branded a ‘waste of time and money’ by a struggling trader, who issued a stark warning to shoppers.

A report into Bury St Edmunds’ market, published last month, said stalls were still thriving and providing a good range of products.

But trader Peter Martin, 44, blasted the £6,000 report ordered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council, saying trade had ‘plummeted’ over the past two years.

“The review was a load of old rubbish,” he said. “Nobody came and asked us what we thought the problem was.

“It was an absolute waste of money.”

Mr Martin has run his stall on the market for the past 28 years but claims trade dropped after Asda opened in the town 18 months ago.

He now plans to give up his stall at Christmas if not before.

“I just can’t earn enough money,” he said. “If the general public aren’t going to shop with us, what can you do?

“Bury market is nice and quaint but, unfortunately, you don’t see people spending a lot of money.”

The review into the future of Bury and Haverhill markets was ordered by the borough council after the number of traders fell by almost 6% over the past five years.

The report, created by external consultants, said the market was still delivering a significant trading profit.

But Mr Martin said a change in shopping habits continued to blight trade for many of the independent stall holders.

“It’s not the council’s fault,” he said. “Trade has plummeted over the past two years.

“If people don’t use us, they are going to lose us.”

But John Webber, chairman of the Bury Market Traders’ Association, said consultants had spoken to traders while making up their report.

“It is just an individual trader, it is not reflective of the market as a whole,” he said. “In general, we are seeing a better flow of people.”

A spokesperson for the borough council said the market review did include discussions with market traders, all of whom were invited to take part in the review.

“The purpose of the review was to ensure a thriving future for our popular markets, especially given the challenging economic conditions and the changes in shopping habits.,” she said.

“The findings have been positively received by the market traders’ associations and other stakeholders, and we are looking forward to working closely with them in future”.

Council answers market deputation

Market traders speak positively about the new Blackburn market

“Looking forward to getting on with the move….”

“I’m so excited, I can’t wait…”

“We’re ready to go for it…”

These are the views of just some of the traders who are looking forward to relocating to the new £8m Blackburn market.

The count down has begun to the new Blackburn market which is due to open in Spring 2011. It will be first continental style market in the country and based within the heart of the new £66m Mall shopping centre.

A meeting was held between the Council and traders at King George’s Hall on Wednesday evening and was hailed as a “positive and productive.”

Andrew Hartley, from The Octagon: Greetings cards, gifts and balloons, said: “It’s time to put up or shut up really. The choice is to either go for it, or start looking for something else. We obviously want to carry on so we’re positive and looking forward to getting on with the move.

“We still need to sort out the details; see what kind of full fit out we’re getting, but we’re eager to get going. It’s obviously going to be an upheaval but, in the long run, we’re hoping our business will be all the better for it.”

Clare Gaskin, from Wellbread, said: “I’m so excited. I can’t wait. I think it’s the right time to get out of the old building and into a new one. It should be done up really well and will look fantastic. It will definitely boost our business. We’ll be able to offer a lot more options to our customers and different lines. It’s all going to be new but I’m very excited.”

Keith Pickup, from Pickups Butchers Ltd, said: “There have been some very positive recent discussions with the Council which have helped to calm the nerves. The situation has been explained really well and a lot of the traders seem very positive. It’s going to be a massive change but it’s a challenge and we’ve got to give it a go. With the help from the Council we’re ready to go for it.”

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “I am glad that the meeting was a very positive and productive one. It was an opportunity for us to talk to traders about the timetable for the move and how to apply for a stall.

“We are looking forward to the opening of the new market – it will be a real asset to the town and be a market fit for the 21st century. We are not standing still in Blackburn, we are moving with the times. We have embodied all the aspects of modern market trading and principles that have not been seen before.”
The Council has worked in partnership with the Mall to create a modern home for the town’s market on the ground floor of the new three storey shopping centre.

It will offer high quality food and non-food stalls and replace the former three day and six day market which dates back to the 1906s and is falling down.

The new market and shopping centre will provide a major shopping boost for the borough, making it the retail centre of Pennine Lancashire.

Funding of £1.5 million has been allocated for the equipment fit-out and the traders will be able to choose their own purpose-built stalls, counter and display walls.

The relocation of the market will free up one of the largest development sites in the town centre which the Council is already working hard to maximise the potential of this site for a major new mixed development.

For further information about the new market, log onto www.blackburn.gov.uk

For further information contact communications officer Lucie Higham on (01254) 585777 or email lucie.higham@blackburn.gov.uk

source: Guardian

BUDDING entrepreneurs could be given the chance to kick-start their business careers thanks to a new competition.

People from across Redbridge could win six month’s rent-free trading space at their nearest market, as part of the Make Your Mark in the Markets contest, run by Enterprise UK, an organisation which aims to help people into self-employment.

This year’s competition has been split into two categories: the first for entrepreneurs who have been trading for less than six months, and the second for those looking to expand an existing, but still relatively young, business.

One shortlisted applicant per market will win up to 10 day’s free trading to prove that their product or service has what it takes to cut it in a real trading environment.

Judges will visit each stall to assess sales, customer feedback and presentation before choosing two national winners, who will receive the top prize of six month’s free trading, £1,000 towards stock, free National Market Traders Federation membership and a business starter pack that provides everything hey will need to hit the ground running.

Graham Wilson, CEO of the National Association of British Market Authorities, said: “The markets industry desperately needs to recruit new traders, and the Make Your Mark in the Markets initiative is an excellent way of raising the profile of markets, while attracting new entrepreneurs as market traders.

“Last year we launched a successful competition and we are hoping that this year we will attract even more applicants, and make the markets an attractive place to start new businesses.”

For more information and to enter the competition, visit www.enterpriseuk.org/markets before March 22.