Agenda item

To consider the final report of the Redditch Market Task Group and to determine whether to approve the group’s recommendations.

(Report attached, presentation to follow).

As Chair of the Review, Councillor Andrew Brazier presented the Committee with the findings and recommendations of the Redditch Market Task Group.

Members heard that the group and Chair in an individual capacity had visited a number of different markets in an attempt to learn what was working well elsewhere and what could feasibly be introduced in Redditch. The group had also consulted with traders and local residents. This prompted a number of very useful ideas, many of which it was recommended should be taken forward by a new permanent working group for the market that would comprise of key town centre stakeholders and the Chair of the Review Group, at least on an initial basis.

Central to their recommendations, the group proposed that a new strategy for the market should be developed to help plan how the market could be revitalised during the next few years. It was recommended that this should include a recruitment and retention plan for new traders, and incorporate a formal communications and marketing plan to help promote key events.

The group was also proposing that the number of general retail market days should be reduced to no more than three each week, and that more speciality markets should be facilitated on the non-retail market days.  Members felt that the town centre could no longer sustain holding a retail market on five days a week. It was thought that these measures would help offer far more choice and selection to market customers, and attract those who did not currently visit the market.

The Chair of the group asserted that, despite difficult economic times, markets could continue to be successful if they adapted to changes in customer shopping habits and expectations, and commented that the recommended actions contained in the report could help restore Redditch Market as a central attraction for the local community.

Councillor Brazier thanked the Committee for the opportunity to lead on the review and urged Members to approve the recommendations.

The Committee welcomed the report and congratulated the group on its work.  Members felt that more should be done to help the market become more competitive, especially with low price convenience stores. However, caution was urged regarding the potential costs involved with arranging speciality markets.

Finally, Members were made aware that relevant Officers would need to liaise with North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration to determine whether any of the recommended actions would require the existing Service Level Agreement to operate the market to be renegotiated.

RECOMMENDED that

1)                 a new strategy for the market be developed which clearly sets out how the market can be revitalised over the next five year period;

2)                 a small core working group consisting of local stakeholders should be created to help develop and implement the new strategy;

3)                 the number of general retail market operating days should be reduced to no more than three days a week.The working group to consult with existing regular traders about which particular days should be retained;

4)                 consideration is given to holding more speciality markets to take place on nongeneral retail market operating days on a regular basis to help create a niche for the Redditch market. The working group to consider how such markets would be managed within the available resources;

5)                 the market working group considers the feasibility of introducing an on-site Redditch Market information point;

6)                 the market working group considers the feasibility of market customers being provided with an opportunity to paythe traders for goods through their mobile phone and debit and credit card payment facilities;

7)                 each trader is required to possess a returns policy which should be clearly advertised;

8)                 the working group facilitates further opportunities for local people, especially students and the unemployed, to obtain business experience through operating stalls in the market place at no charge on a short-term basis, to include the introduction of a new mentoring scheme to offer help and assistance to new traders;

9)                 the working group facilitates further opportunities for local businesses to showcase their goods and services on market stalls;

10)             the working group facilitates the allocation of free stalls on a rotating basis to local people to promote forthcoming community events and the work of local charities, subject to stall availability;

11)             the market working group explores the possibility of realigning and extending the layout of the market past its current location;

12)             the market working group explores the feasibility of introducing a covered food court area;

13)             the market working group explores the suitability of the design of the current market stalls and to consider whether the introduction of alternative stalls would improve the overall visual appearance of the stalls;

14)             the market working group ensures that any review of signage in the town centre includes adequate reference to the market;

15)             the market working group works with local bus operators to help further promote the market;

16)             the Council should engage with the Public Fundraising Regulatory Association with a view to reaching an agreement to regulate the working days and areas of charity street fundraisers in Redditch Town Centre; and

17)             Redditch Borough Council should join the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) and participate in the Love Your Local Market 2013 event to publicise the changes and new opportunities that would have been introduced at the market.