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28 NEWS Traders call for help


Stallholders in a Tyne and Wear town are calling on operators to help them in a bid to breathe new life into their historic market. Traders at the market in


South Shields say the number of people taking up stalls on market days has declined, and fear if nothing is done soon it could lead to the demise of the town’s historic event. Last year the counci l


handed over the development of the market to environment group Groundwork, whose bosses say they are currently working on a programme of


events and activities for 2018 in an effort to help the market grow. One market trader told local


media: “The market has been in steady decline for the past couple of years. We just don’t feel we are being promoted enough or that enough is being done to attract new stallholders into the place. “There are rumours the rent


will be going up in April. If that happens, I think that may just finish the market off. “I make more money at a


car boot sale on a Sunday than I do on market days.”


Trader Lynne Buddin said


she and her husband Andy had stopped using their stall as it wasn’t worth it due to the lack of numbers at the market. She added: “I don’t know


what the answer is but something needs to be done to breathe new life into the market place. “Groundwork have brought


in the Pepperpot Crafts fair and that has brought some enthusiasm back. It’s frustrating as it could be a really good place for new local businesses starting out.” A spokesperson for South


Tyneside Council told us: “In recent years we have invested heavily in the Market Place. “As part of the town’s


multi million pound 365 regenerat ion plan, the traditional market square has been given a makeover to provide a more modern civic space fit for the 21st century. “The opening of The Word


is also helping to attract more footfall into this area. “Las t year we al so


The council says the opening of cultural venue The Word is helping to attract footfall to South Shields’ market area (Photo: Libraries Taskforce)


entered into a partnership with Groundwork to help develop the market and attract new traders as well as host specialist and themed markets and events that have breathed new life into the Market Square. “Overall the number of


stall holders attending on Fridays and Saturdays is similar to performance from the previous year, averaging over 60 stalls on Fridays and over 40 stalls on Saturdays. “We have achieved this


despite economic challenges and increased competition from online shopping and out of town shopping centres affecting traditional markets across the UK, and South Shields Market has been outperforming other traditional open air markets in the North East in both the number of stallholders and customer footfall.


MARKET TRADER, FEBRUARY 2 - 15, 2018 “Being an outdoor market,


it is exposed to the elements and, over the past year, the market has been impacted by high winds or heavy rain affecting attendance among both stallholders and customers on particular days. “However, they are a sturdy


lot, the North East traders, and there have been no days where the market has been completely cancelled. “In 2012, market stall


rents were reduced from a proposed £26.50 a day to £15 to support market traders. It was agreed in April 2017 that stall rents be frozen at this


level until at least April 2018, when they will be reviewed. No decision has been made at this stage. “We will continue to work


with our partners to develop the offer throughout 2018.” A n d r e w Wa t t s o f


Groundwork told local media: “The work undertaken to date has given us a greater understanding of the audiences attracted to the market on different days and we will continue to work with the council, South Tyneside Homes and traders to develop the offer within South Shields Market Square.”


Pickles to offer tipples


A cheese stall moving into the new indoor market in Preston, Lancashire, is planning to expand its operation to include a mini wine bar. Pickles of Preston has


applied for a licence to sell and serve alcohol from its new premises at the revamped event. Proprietor Nikki Keefe told


local media it was time to try something a little different for the launch of the new market, which opens this month. She said: “I’ve decided to


get a licence to sell wine to appeal to a different type of customer. “We will still be doing the


cheeses as we do now, but I often have customers coming in and saying they need a good bottle of wine to go with their cheese.” Ms Keefe said she had


picked her spot in the market to be in a good position to serve people coming in and out of the new cinema and restaurant complex when it’s completed. “It’s something new for me


but I am very much looking forward to it,” she added. “I’ve grown up as a market


trader since I left school at 16. My Mum owns Redmans, so I know the ins and outs of the market life.


“A lot of us are investing


in this new market – we’ve signed our leases, and it’s just what the city needs. If this isn’t here, then what else? I think it will be a great success.” Nikki is working with a local


wine merchant to source the wines for her stall, and has applied to be able to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. The new market is due


to open to the public on Monday February 12 and will replace the current Preston Indoor Market.


M23228


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