Partnership bid to rescue market

A partnership has been launched to safeguard jobs and attract more shoppers to one of the UK's oldest markets after figures revealed stall holders were drifting away from the historic site because of a lack of investment.

Scarborough's Indoor Market is to benefit from a new think-tank where market traders will work with town hall officials every month to explore ways of raising the profile of the site at the heart of old Scarborough.

Scarborough's Market Charter dates from 1252 and is one of the country's oldest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

An open air market selling a range of goods was held in the Old Town until the Market Hall was opened in 1853.

The vaults underneath the building, originally a bonded warehouse, have provided much of the markets' income since they were converted into stalls in 1993.

Whitby also holds a small open air market three days a week.

At present, both markets generate a surplus which goes into the general property fund.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

However, a report has revealed occupancy rates in the Scarborough Market Hall are falling – to 39 units let in 2009 from 45 in 2008 with the Vaults' tenancies decreasing to 46 from 49, of 50, units in 2008.

Council bosses say they aware that the vision for the market has to fall in line with the current financial constraints faced by town halls everywhere.

But they have underlined the new group is committed to finding cost effective improvements that should have a positive impact on the market's economic well-being and popularity as a shopping destination.

Quick fixes will include the introduction of free wi-fi internet access within the market for the benefit of customers and traders.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Longer term options include a seating area, the re-design of the upstairs market hall layout with a uniform look for all the stalls, a cleaner environment all around the market and improved signage.

Pauline Elliott, Scarborough Council's Head of Regeneration, added:"Since the responsibility for the indoor market transferred to our department in April this year, we have been looking at ways of developing it and increasing its profile.

"I am really pleased that we have already made some great progress with the formation of the partnership working group, which should give us the practical direction and creative ideas that we need to move the market forwards.

"We are also looking into sources of external funding that may be available and to re-explore the possibility of a bid for Lottery Heritage Funding."

The response from traders has also been positive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Francis Walsh, from Pet Harmony, said: "This management group is a good starting point for us as traders to work with our local authority partners in taking Scarborough Market forward.

"We all wish to build a prosperous future on the existing tradition of quality, value and service that the market embodies for the good of Scarborough as a whole."

Margaret Riley, from Hidden Treasures, said:"I think it is a good idea having a market management group so that representatives of the Market Hall and Market Vaults can meet with officers of the council to develop ideas and promotions to put one of Scarborough's key assets well and truly on the map."

Coun Derek Bastiman, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, added: "It is heartening that the market traders are willing to work with the council to make the market the vibrant community resource it should be.

"We look forward to a sound partnership, which will encourage local people to shop at the market for food and other goods, and help create and safeguard local jobs."