Agenda and minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 February 2024, be received and approved as a correct record.

The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed the Council’s Assistant Director for Regeneration, Sarah Daniel and the Town Centres and Markets Manager, Trevor Middleton, to the meeting.  Both officers were in attendance to give an update on how the various markets in Ashfield were operating, recent successes, any challenges the markets were facing, and what future plans the Council had in relation to the markets.

The Governance Manager reminded Committee that at the February 2024 meeting Members had asked for a Markets update which encompassed the following sites:

Indoor Markets

• Idlewells Shopping Centre in Sutton-in-Ashfield

• Moor Market in Kirkby-in-Ashfield

Outdoor Markets

• Hucknall

• Kirkby-in-Ashfield

• Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Committee Members then received an update from the Assistant Director for Regeneration and the Town Centres and Markets Manager in respect of the following aspects of the Council’s markets provision:

Website Information

The Council’s website offered a wealth of information regarding its market facilities, including days and times of trading and arrangements for special events.

Occupancy Rates

Post Covid, some markets had struggled with their occupancy rates and many traders had not returned following the pandemic.  Currently the outdoor market at Hucknall was proving to be the most popular market site for traders with Sutton as the lowest.  Nationally a reduction in market stall occupancy rates had been seen as customers shopping habits had changed and predominantly moved online.  However, some speciality market events were still bucking the trend where artisan and speciality foods/goods were on offer.

Footfall

Hucknall figures continued to reflect the popularity of the High Street and the success of the pedestrianisation scheme.  In Sutton, the closure of the large Wilko store had seen a reduction in footfall to the town and shop vacancies in Kirkby had impacted the success of the markets.

Updated Market Stalls

It had recently been acknowledged that some of the Council’s market stalls looked tired and some had received an upgrade with new display tops and skirts.  Fifteen new stalls had also been purchased (from Post Covid ‘Welcome Back’ funding) for use at the weekly Sutton Outdoor Market.

Costs

With the current climate, it was acknowledged that the Council needed to remain vigilant with their spending and some market days had been ceased to save money wherever possible. 

Planned Events

The Council’s plant & garden fairs and the food & drink festivals were popular and there was always a good market stall presence at the Council’s Christmas festivals.  These events were promoted widely and had fantastic support from officers with regard to the organisation and ultimate success of the occasions.

Following the Sutton town centre development works (with completion around November 2024), it was hoped that the Council could relaunch the market over the busy pre-Christmas period.  Appropriate incentives were being considered to attract new traders including new stalls and favourable fees for start up and pop up businesses.

Idlewells Indoor Market

Occupancy rates were currently good at the indoor market and remain reasonably stable at around 90%.  Traders continue to be supported by officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item PS.23