Discussions to be held on plans for additional market days in St Albans City Centre
Plans to hold small-scale markets throughout the week in St Albans City Centre are to be discussed with traders.
Current Charter Market traders and street traders are to be asked for their views on the proposals.
Residents, businesses and other organisations will also have an opportunity to voice their support for the move or raise any concerns.
St Albans City and District Council manages the twice-weekly, award-winning Charter Market – held on Wednesdays and Saturdays – which has shown considerable growth since the pandemic.
It often attracts in excess of 90 traders operating from more than 130 pitches and there has been a demand for additional markets on other days.
A report to a meeting of the Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Thursday 8 March proposed allowing smaller markets of up to ten traders on the other five days of the week.
Councillors decided to put the plans on hold till June while conversations were held with those who will be most affected.
Councillor Chris White, Leader and Chair of the Committee, said:
We have listened to people who will be impacted by these proposals and have acted by deciding to look at this initiative in granular detail.
We want to make sure that our plans will get the support as far as possible of everyone involved, particularly our wonderful traders who contribute so much to the local economy as well as the vibrancy of the City Centre.
I will be talking personally to the street traders, explaining our amended plans, taking on board feedback and deciding on the best way forward with senior Council officers.
Currently, the Council allows up to six street traders to operate outside of Charter Market days by means of street trading consents.
Existing street traders would be the first group to be offered pitches for the additional market days. Current market traders would be next in line followed by any new applicants.
Cllr White will now talk to the street traders to hear their views about the proposals while there will be consultations in May with market traders and City Centre businesses.
Residents will also be invited to give their views while a final decision on additional market days is now scheduled to be made at the Committee’s June meeting.
Cllr White said:
The Committee felt this was the sensible way to proceed and I will begin the process by holding conversations with the street traders.
I know there have been some real concerns about the extra costs they might incur and we need to nail that along with other issues.
We want to make sure, for instance, that the monthly Sunday, antiques and vegan markets are not adversely impacted and that City Centre businesses are behind the proposals.
Extending our hugely successful markets to offer people small-scale ones on non-Charter market days has the potential to be a positive move.
There is the prospect of more opportunities for traders, more choice for shoppers and more vibrancy in the City Centre. These conversations will allow us to ensure that if we go ahead with the plan, we do so in the most viable way.
Photo: queues at a food and drink trader’s pitch in St Albans City Centre.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.