MARKET SPECIAL: Views on proposed move to town centre

The move to close the town centre two days a week and move the market stalls there has caused uproar among the people of Frome.

Since Councillor Sharon Snook informed the people of Frome what has been going on she has had letters emails, phone calls and conversations – and none were positive.

The myth that the market is in decline is exactly that. The market suffered with the removal of the Bailey bridge and the installation of the new bridge did hit the market for a while but it has bounced back.

This has been very badly handled, the ward councillors at Mendip for Market were kept in the dark for nearly four months as were most of everyone else apart from a select few. A steering group has been formed and Councillor Snook and I are not allowed to attend. They also never invited Katy Duke and anyone from the market itself.

They want a market like the one in Wells where the stalls are the same colours. Well, you don't have to move the market to achieve that and disrupt the lives of 25,000 people of Frome to do so.

When you close a road for a market you always have a road next to it to take the flow of traffic. I wonder, in this time of austerity, do we all have undisclosed sums of money to spend? Did David Cameron not long ago tell us all to pay off our credit cards and the uproar it caused like we have all got pocketfuls of money?

Rat-runs will be created around Frome as the main artery will be closed to cars, the extra length in journeys will cost everyone more in petrol and that equal less money to spend on shopping. These cars will choke up the roads around Frome and when this happens on Wednesday too will form a threat to children at schools that will see a huge increase in traffic.

What the market traders actually want is better publicity, big signs on the outskirts of town and reduced fees for start-ups – that is the simple, cost-effective way to regenerate the market.

The market in its present location is user-friendly to the disabled and to elderly people with walking difficulties. Car access is good so you don't have to carry your goods far; in fact you can park alongside and load up.

There must be other options open for discussion and consultation in advance of the trial.

I know that the traders are not in favour of some of the ideas suggested so Councillor Snook's suggestion is to keep the market where it is and expand the stalls into the Westway precinct. Other options have to be looked at before drastic action is taken to close the town centre.

Where is the evidence that the market is in decline? Could more money be spent on advertising and attention to detail?

One criticism from the traders is that the Mendip officer has not understood Frome market and given it the attention it deserves.

If the market moves gets the go-ahead do we have another 40 traders to come in, and if income is down from the move will the traders be compensated from a move that they clearly do not want?

We have not seen how the stalls will sit in the Market Place. If the market traders refuse to move, what happens then, will they be forced against their will?

If all other options are explored and this is the best solution then it should be supported. If the town wants to be a shopping hub then all Mendip's time should be spent trying to get a supermarket-led development on Saxonvale.

COUNCILLOR SHARON SNOOK

Lib Dem Market ward

COUNCILLOR DEREK TANSWELL

Somerton and Frome membership secretary

Lib Dem

Market ward

Frome

I am cheesed off with the way that stallholders of Frome Market are being treated as second-class citizens when everyone else is given handouts and incentives.

Every Saturday and Wednesday they bring Frome to life with their colourful stalls, bargains and cheerful chatter. Do those grey people in charge realise that Saturdays and Wednesdays are actually the busiest days of the week in Frome town: the shops in the Westway precinct are buzzing, the market place is full of people, there are queues for buses, there are queues in the new Co-op and post office. Wednesdays and Saturdays are good for all Frome traders. The market brings people into Frome.

Wild statements have been made in the press that are totally untrue:

■ Not one trader in the market sells cheap toilet roll, as reported. I went out round yesterday to every single stallholder and asked. Toilet rolls take up too much space and are much cheaper in Asda. Goods that are sold in the market yard include houseware items, fruit and vegetables, unusual cheeses with free samples, clothing, plants, outdoor wear, meat products, tableware and tea, coffee and snacks are available all day.

■ It would actually be impossible to move the market into the Westway Precinct as suggested. Have councillors seen the size of the stalls? Some would take up the whole width and block the present shops there. If the size of stalls was reduced, there would not be enough turnover and the traders would have to stop trading. In addition lorries need to drive into the precinct to deliver goods to Boots and other shops. Taxis and the Royal Mail van also use the precinct. There is no room for market stalls.

■ So market stalls are being relocated to the Market Place? Has anyone asked the stallholders? Almost with one voice they declared it would be impossible: the size of the stalls would be severely limited, the pavement slopes by Shoe Zone, they would not be able to take their vans which are vital for holding stock, there would be no access to electricity which is needed by some and which is available in the Market Yard. Traders declared that moving to the Market Place would not work and they would not go.

■ Moving traders to the market place and allowing buses to continue operating by the use of barriers would also cause problems: several buses arrive at the same time outside Shoe Zone (53, 234, 184, 267). There would not be enough room for them all at the same time with stalls there and this would cause hold-ups. Traffic approaching in the opposite direction would be forced to wait, perhaps including fire engines, ambulances, police at times.

■ Closing the Market Place completely would not allow the traders in the precinct to have their deliveries after 6am or for post to be collected.

The present stallholders simply want to continue trading in the Market Yard. The market itself brings people, variety and cheer to Frome. Children can run around freely without fear of traffic, elderly and handicapped people and can load up their bags/trolleys and not have far to walk to their transport.

The market keeps Frome close to its traditional past. Despite all this traders receive no encouragement at all.

■ The lighting in the Market Yard is inadequate. Traders arrive on dark, freezing mornings around 6am. They have to unload their vans and set up their stalls in the semi-darkness. There is no special lighting to help them.

■ All the signs on the outskirts of the town pointing to Frome Market actually point to Standerwick. This is in the opposite direction. This is totally unfair and was brought to the attention of councillors at a meeting of EMCP in April 2008. Promises were made. Nothing changed.

■ The market is not advertised anywhere whereas formerly adverts appeared in the local press. The Highways Department refuses to allow signs advertising the market on approaching roads on market days. Why are other enterprises allowed to advertise on the sides of roads? Why does Standerwick have the privilege of actually appearing on signposts around Frome? It's not fair. Stallholders have to pay for their stalls and 90 per cent of them belong to the National Market Traders Federation. They don't just crawl off the streets for nothing.

■ The market officer no longer has a nearby office. It has been taken over for police use.

I feel it's about time people responsible for the markets went along and actually saw what's happening and how traders need to organise themselves these days. Traders have had to keep up with the times as well as everyone else. They should be treated fairly. To prevent declining numbers and increase the number of customers, it would help if lower rates were offered.

Recently I received a two-page market survey from the Liberal Democrats with detailed questions about type of shops used, which shops were used most frequently, what changes would improve Frome shopping etc. There was not one mention of the outdoor markets or even the regular markets in the Cheese and Grain which consist of the weekly Antiques and Collectors market, the weekly Country Market with fresh home-grown vegetables/fruit/flowers/jams/eggs/preserves/ crafts, the monthly Farmers' Market, the Crafts Market and special events such as Frome Rabbit Show and Wessex Camera Fair. Frome is full of unique markets. They should be cared for before it's too late.

PAT TAYLER

Waterloo

Frome

With a number of meetings being held this week regarding the proposed market relocation trial, I took it upon myself to ask the 2,660-plus people engaging with me through my Facebook page what they think.

I think there are many options that could possibly work, as long as there is a priority to explore the regeneration of the market and thus hopefully town centre revenue. This should also include encouragement to increase traders into the town, expanding on what is currently on offer to visitors.

What has come to mind after asking for people's opinions, however, is the apparent lack of consultation with the public. Residents and traders seem to have genuine concerns and questions about feasibility, as well as ideas to combat these queries and to promote the markets whilst keeping the main thoroughfare open to traffic. I believe strongly that whilst there are questions and concerns to be addressed, these plans should be put on hold temporarily.

I would encourage residents and traders to comment on my Facebook wall (Councillor Helen Sprawson-White), email me on cllr.sprawson-white@mendip.gov.uk, or call me to pass on your views. This is the only way that I and my colleagues at Mendip can ensure your views are heard.

Finally, I would also encourage people to attend and/or register to speak at the cabinet meeting on Monday at 6.30pm at the Council Chamber, Shepton Mallet, or email comments to the chief executive.

COUNCILLOR HELEN SPRAWSON-WHITE

Lib Dem

Town and district councillor for Frome Oakfield ward

In recent discussions about the proposal to move the market to the Market Place – and close it off to traffic on Wednesdays and Saturdays – Councillor Sharon Snook suggested an interesting alternative. If the private owners of the Westway would agree, holding the market there might be an attractive proposition.

A couple of years ago the Civic Society also put forward a plan for relocating the market. Theirs used the other side of Market Place, and is equally worthy of consideration. It involved placing the stalls around the Market Cross and extending them up King Street and into Kingsway and Church Street.

Only King Street would need a road closure, which would be much less disruptive than closing the main road through the town centre. It does seem as though not enough thought has yet been given to other possibilities.

Improving the market is a good idea; it has hardly been an asset for a market town in recent years. Whilst a revamp might involve a change of location, we are not convinced that closing the Market Place to do it is the best way forward.

There is now a meeting arranged between the three tiers of councils, which is a step in the right direction. Until now the three county councillors have not been included in these discussions. The public also need to be able to have their say, as they are the users – or potential users – of the market, the town centre shops, the car parks and the town centre roads.

Hopefully this debate will continue in your pages, and give the decision-makers some idea of which way we want to go as a town.

As county councillors, we would like to hear your views on this.

COUNCILLOR MAGGY DANIELL Frome Selwood MDaniell@somerset.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR ALVIN HORSFALL Frome South AHorsfall@somerset.gov.uk

COUNCILLOR PETER JOHN Frome North PFJohn@somerset.gov.uk

The Frome market stalls proposals have brought out the best and worst in local politicians used to nothing much happening in Frome.

For years on end, Conservative-controlled Mendip has diverted taxpayers' money from projects in Frome to other towns in the district. Conservative Somerset County Council is similar in heartless cutting of services in both Frome and its surrounding hinterland. So Councillor Philip Ham's proposals to regenerate Frome's charter market have caught opponents by surprise.

When I announced the proposals to Frome Town Council in October last year the Independent's leader, councillor Mel Usher, immediately saw the plans as an opportunity to provide benefits to the town and hinterland economy because a successful market will encourage new businesses.

The experimental and revitalised Royal Charter Market will act as a model for developing markets in alternative Frome streets and other towns. Who knows in what street Frome market will end its days, but at least Mendip is trying to delay its inevitable closure if things go on as there are?

The Independents also have ambitious plans to transform Frome's centre into a European-style "shared" area where pedestrians and traffic use the same space. So the proposal to close Market Place to traffic for a test period is a step in that direction. In turn, Mendip hopes the transformation will increase car-parking revenue currently depressed with market stalls adjacent to the library building.

But some politicians believe Frome is a Liberal Democrat town so why are Conservatives and Independents muscling in on our community and telling us what to do? Get real, they are in control now because we failed to win the election. Failure to regenerate Frome town centre might damage political arrangements when in the past Lib Dems have been forced into appeasement of their opponent's policies in recent times. But not to progress with the growth of the markets would be a lost opportunity to generate market business and the future vitality of Frome and hinterland.

Fortunately many people can see the sense of strategic community leadership when all political parties can pull together for the common good.

COUNCILLOR ADRIAN DOBINSON

Liberal Democrat

Frome town and Mendip district Councillor for Berkley Down

I and other councillors are now gathering initial feedback from residents about Mendip District Council's new emerging proposals (which drew on an idea from Councillor Adrian Dobinson, Lib Dem Berkley Down) to work towards a trial relocation of Frome's weekly Saturday market to the Market Place with a road closure in place, in a partnership with Frome Town Council and other stakeholders.

Councillors are being fully briefed on the proposals this week. Nothing has been decided yet and the idea goes to Cabinet next Monday for endorsement.

Overall, it will be very good if the district council is seriously considering investing in Frome in partnership with the town council to encourage more people to shop in the town centre, by making the market larger, much more attractive and diverse.

If it is organised and publicised well so that Frome becomes known as a better destination for Saturday shopping, it could be quite marvellous for the town.

I and other councillors will be questioning the council this week and next about the potential impacts, including those of a road closure on access and traffic along "diversion" routes, as well as the benefits, and whether there are other suitable locations for a refreshed market to attract more people into Frome.

The emerging steering group will be going through all these issues. It is still early days and there is a lot of work to do to get the best out of this, which is why very little information has been available up to now, but I and other councillors are asking for the people of Frome and stakeholders to be fully informed and consulted when further agreements are reached and when details are available.

In the meantime, I would ask people to examine the current ideas and to let your councillors know what you think, so we can represent residents' views on your councils. My email is cllr.boyden@mendip.gov.uk.

COUNCILLOR ADAM BOYDEN

Lib Dem Mendip District Council, Frome College ward, Shadow Portfolio Holder for Governance, Assets and Public Spaces