Traders "positive" about market's future
LANCASTER Market could become a specialist in food retail under council plans to secure its future.
After agreeing to keep the market open earlier this year following a public outcry, city councillors voted at the end of March to employ 'expert advisors' to recommend ways to turn around its fortunes.
The building had been costing the authority almost 500,000 a year - due mainly to an historic lease agreement with the owners - and more than half the stalls were vacant.
Now, would-be consultants are being invited to bid for a contract to put together a comprehensive report on the way forward.
Ideas the successful bidder will be expected to look at in their final report include:
* Providing a predominantly (specialist) food retail market, in the context of Lancaster's developing role as a heritage city.
* Examining whether the current structure and layout of the market is fit for purpose and identifying any changes necessary.
* Looking at what lease arrangements should be in place between the council and traders, including the viability of a tenants' charter.
* Advising whether complementary, non-physical works are required, including marketing.
* Advising how the indoor and charter markets can be linked.
Graham Alston, chairman of Lancaster Market Traders, said that recent meetings with the council had been 'the most positive they had been for the past four years'.
He added: "The council are now behind the market and that is what the traders have wanted."
Coun Jon Barry, chair of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group, said the five-month delay since the council agreed to seek professional advice had been to allow the group to explore whether anything could be done without paying for consultants.
"Originally it was my reluctance to spend money but now I think we do need to get advice as we need to have a big plan in place," he said.
"The market traders may also have lost a bit of trust in the council, which is why I think we need to get someone independent in.
"We expect the exercise will cost a fraction of the 150,000 originally touted.
"I am optimistic about the future of the market and about the city council and market traders working together to make Lancaster Market a success."
The deadline for bids for the contract is September 24 and the successful bidder will be chosen by the cabinet liaison group.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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