Issue - meetings
Regeneration of Retail Areas Scrutiny Review - Witness evidence
Meeting: 09/03/2017 - Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee (Item 106)
Regeneration of Retail Areas Scrutiny Review - Witness evidence - Verbal
Minutes:
The Chair invited David Fordham, Service
Manager, Service Trading Standards, Jan Tucker, Chair of Archway
Traders Association and Christine Lovett, CEO of
Angel’s Business Improvement Bid
(BID) to address the Committee on their experiences, challenges and
future prospects within the retail areas in Islington.
During consideration of this item the following points were raised
-
·
Members were informed about the draft street trading strategy which
lists key things the Council aims to
achieve in the next 5 years
·
Members were advised that the value of revitalising and keeping the
markets alive, providing local jobs for local people and meeting
environmental sustainable objectives was the stimulus for
action
·
That the strategy aims to create a dynamic street trading and
market experience suitable for residents and businesses
·
Members agreed that as shopping habits of members of the public had
changed over the years, street markets would have to adapt to this
new trend.
·
There are a number of challenges facing Street Trading and include
lack of infrastructure regarding the removal of waste, parking
issues on market site attracting new traders and retaining the
existing traders.
·
Members were advised that the Council aims to raise the profile
of street markets and would promoting
street markets in the Time Out Magazine in May 2017 called ‘
love your market’
·
A recognition that street markets still had a vital place within
the community not only with the residents but businesses in its
vicinity so the regeneration of the market was essential to provide
future opportunities.
·
Members were informed that street
markets would be encouraged to introduce different themes on market
days as it was noticeable that the existence of farmers markets had
resulted in increase in trading and footfall especially visitors
·
Members were advised that most authorities in the country were
experiencing similar issues on managing street markets and that the
decline of traditional street markets was due to a number of
factors such as competition from other forms of
retail, lack of investment or vision by the local authorities and
changing demographics .
·
A Member enquired if the loss of vibrancy of street
markets was due to the prevalence of food stalls competing with the
shops especially as businesses pay rates and charges. The Service Manager, Service Trading Standards
advised that it had not been raised as an issue, however the
Council be looking at ways of assisting or supporting such
businesses
·
With regards to the cost of hiring stalls and
pitches and the revenue derived by the Council, the Service
Manager, Service Trading Standards advised that Council charges
£60 per week, the lowest in comparison to other neighbouring
authorities and cheaper than markets that are located on
private land. On the issue of revenue,
Members were advised that any revenues received would be ring
fenced.
· A Member enquired whether the Council offered support such as mentoring/training for new stall holders with a view to helping the stall holders move into retail shops .
· A Member enquired if Officers were aware of a financial ... view the full minutes text for item 106