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To change or not to change - that is market question
A HISTORIC market town could see its flagging market place revamped, after the findings of a £10,000 feasibility study were unveiled.
Richmond is at the centre of research to see how the town's markets - both indoor and outdoor - could reverse the national trend of decline.
At a meeting of Richmond Town Council on Monday, consultant Tracey Simpson said the project could "breathe new life" into the Georgian town, attracting more visitors and boosting the economy.
But she said that during her research, which began last October, she had met "resistance to change" from about half of traders at the weekly Saturday market.
"There are some people who want to see the market stay just as it is," she said. "But I really think we can do so much better."
Ms Simpson carried out the study for Richmondshire District Council, following requests from town councillors to improve the declining number and quality of market stalls. A draft version will be available next week, and the final version a month later. If work is approved by the district authority's planning committee and English Heritage, it will be supported by a grant from the Renaissance Market Towns programme.
One idea is to create a cafe with toilets in the indoor market hall, with fixed stalls along one or both sides, at a cost of £340,000. Ideas for the outdoor market include widening pavements around the square to encourage a "cafe culture", creating a town logo, and co-ordinated canopies for all the stalls.
Coun David Johnson said any development should be viewed with caution, to avoid spoiling the historic character of the town and its buildings, but Ms Simpson said work carried out would have to be of the highest quality.
"Like many other market towns, Richmond is not enhanced by its weekly market as it should be," she said.
"We want to increase the scale and the quality of the markets, so that they become a real asset to the town.
"We are simply looking at what other places are doing right, and seeing how we could make those ideas work here."
7:44am Friday 2nd May 2008
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CommentPosted by: stuart whitehead, darlington on 4:17pm Fri 2 May 08
This survey is long overdue.Richmond market has become a collection of tatty stalls specialising in cheap goods.Ms Simpson is correct in her assertion that a vibrant market would be an asset to the town and the negative attitude of some of the current traders is difficult to understand. Even just co-ordinating the design and colours of the stall canopies will greatly enhance the appearance of the market.
This survey is long overdue.Richmond market has become a collection of tatty stalls specialising in cheap goods.Ms Simpson is correct in her assertion that a vibrant market would be an asset to the town and the negative attitude of some of the current traders is difficult to understand. Even just co-ordinating the design and colours of the stall canopies will greatly enhance the appearance of the market.
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