Memorandum Submitted by Patricia Grey—Fareham
Town Centre Manager (MARKETS 02)
This is a response from the Fareham Town Centre
Manager. Fareham Borough Council funds her salary but does not
provide an operating budget. Fareham Borough Council operates
a weekly street market every Monday. Fareham Town Centre Management
runs monthly farmers markets and ad hoc speciality markets.
Traditional retail markets today
— How has the picture changed over the
last 10 years? Smaller general street markets, emergence
of farmers' markets.
— Are the number and types of markets in
decline? If so, why? Strong offers from supermarkets and budget
supermarkets, emergence of £1 and value retailers.
— Are there obstacles preventing the creation
of more markets? Not particularly.
— Are there obstacles hindering the successful
business of existing market operators and traders? Yes—competition.
— What has been the impact of specialist
markets eg continental and farmers markets, and do such markets
integrate successfully with older markets?
Specialist and farmers' markets attract a different
customer. They do not integrate with regular street markets, either
from the traders' or the customers' perspective.
Their Social and Economic effects
— What social and economic effects do traditional
retail markets have on their local communities? They create a
social hub. Whilst not all retailers benefit (because of the customer
base they attract), most of them do claim that street market day
is their busiest trading day of the week after Saturday.
Realising the potential of traditional retail
markets
— Does local government support markets
effectively? Yes, it runs the traditional street market.
— What are the advantages and disadvantages
of local authorities having powers to operate markets? It can
keep rentals un-commercially low.
Fareham Town Centre Management is supported
by R Ayling, Boots, Fareham Borough Council, Fareham Shopping
Centre, Hampshire Police, Human Factor Solutions, LA Fitness,
La Orient, Lysses House Hotel, The Market Quay Shopping Centre,
Marked & Sparkling, Marks & Spencer, Robert Dyas, Rovers
Tackle, Southampton & Fareham Chamber of Commerce, The Crown
Pub, Warner Goodman and Wilkinsons.
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