Memorandum by Action for Market Towns
(AMT) (MARKETS 12)
Action for Market Towns is a membership organisation
open to market towns with a population of between 3,000 and
30,000, as well as individuals and organisations who wish to promote
the viability and vitality of market towns. Currently, we have
420 members, largely market town partnerships or market town
councils, bit also including county, district and unitary authorities.
In December 2008, we surveyed our members on
the issues on which the Select Committee is focussing in its inquiry
into traditional retail markets. 108 member towns responded.
I attach the analysis of the survey, which I hope the Select
Committee will find of interest. I should be happy to give oral
evidence if the Committee wishes.
In response to some, but not all, of the questions
which the Committee is examining, the survey provides the following
summary information:
TRADITIONAL RETAIL
MARKETS TODAY
1. How has the picture changed over the last
10 years?
36% of the towns with markets reported that
number of stalls at their towns market had decreased over the
last five years. When asked why they felt this was the case, a
number of respondents commented that the number of market stalls
in their town had decreased due to "increased competition,"
whilst another theme was the "lack of actual traders."
61% reported that their market had not been
affected by Retail Developments within their town.
61% reported that their market had not been
affected by Out of Town Retail Developments.
(Pages 14-18 of the survey refer)
2. Are the number and types of markets in
decline? If so, why?
From those surveyed who indicated that their
town did not have a market, 50% reported that a market was previously
held. From this cohort 43% indicated that the market had closed
in the last five years, 29% 21 to 50 years ago, 14%
five to 10 years ago and 14% 50 more years ago. (Page
7 refers)
44% of respondents were confident in terms of
the future of the market in their town. (Page 20 refers)
3. Are there obstacles hindering the successful
business of existing market operators and traders?
60% of towns with markets felt that there were
obstacles hindering the successful operations of their existing
market traders, and when asked to expand on these obstacles two
main themes emerged; "Location" and "Local Authorities".
32% of those respondents with markets in their
towns rated the local government support given as Neither Effective
nor Ineffective. When Respondents were asked what additional support
local or central government could give to markets, and the main
theme to emerge revolved around "financial support/incentives"
(Pages 21-22 refer)
4. What has been the impact of specialist
markets eg continental and farmers markets, and do such markets
integrate successfully with older markets?
From the cohort that indicated their town held
"New" markets such as Farmers, Continental and Arts
and Crafts, 54% stated that these had been successfully integrated
with the older markets.
Responses from the 41% who did not feel that
the new markets had successfully been integrated centred on the
lack of a previous market to integrate with and "New"
and "Old" markets being operated in different locations.
(pages 12-13 refer)
REALISING THE
POTENTIAL OF
TRADITIONAL RETAIL
MARKETS
5. Does local government support markets effectively?
Pages 21-22 of the survey deal with local
government issues relating to towns with markets. These include
liaison between different tiers of local government, lack of investment,
lack of support and vision and inadequate promotion.
6. Does central government support markets
effectively? If not, what additional support should be provided?
Page 23 deals with this issue. Comments
exclusively relate to the role of local government rather than
central government.
PLANNING AND
LICENSING ISSUES
7. 69% of towns with markets reported that
their market had not been affected over the last five years by
new regulations. However, of those who reported that new regulations
had affected the market within their town, 56% said that the effect
had been a negative one. This is an area where AMT wishes to investigate
the survey responses in more depth. (Page 20 refers)
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