Page 33 - MarketTimesApril2013
P. 33

  Market Times • April 2013
NEWS
Breathing new life into Surrey Street Market
 PLANS to revive Surrey Street Market in Croydon have been outlined by the Croydon Portas Town Team which was allocated £100,000 under the Mary Portas, Queen of Shops, Government initiative to breathe new life into ailing town centres.
The Old Town Portas Pilot Town Team is aiming to rejuvenate the historic quarter of the town centre and the market is a key focus of its business plan.
Team member Paul Collins said that one idea was to bring in a specialist market management company to lead a revamp of the market, which could encourage new traders to come on to the market.
But he stressed that the idea was to work with the traders to develop the market, introducing new ideas to complement what was already there and creating new opportunities for existing and would-be traders.
The business plan includes the creation of a community hub, which would be a covered area on the market where shoppers could enjoy food from the market. It could feature a show kitchen where cookery demonstrations were given and a performance space for entertainers.
There are also plans for high speed internet and free wi-fi, as well as opportunities for businesses and visitors to use empty properties as
‘pop-up’ spaces for new businesses to test their products and services in the market place.
The business plan sets aside £33,000 to provide micro loans to help
existing businesses in the Portas area expand, and there is a £2,500 distress fund for one-off payments to help struggling businesses keep trading.
Mark Prisk MP
 NMTF to sit on new Government high street forum
 National Market Traders Federation Chief Executive Joe Harrison has been invited by Local Growth Minister Mark Prisk MP to be part of the Future High Streets Forum set up in the wake of the Mary Portas Review into town and city centres.
Joe will sit alongside representatives from big companies such as John Lewis, Tesco and Boots on the forum, which is aimed at putting more momentum behind the ideas included in the Mary Portas report. Association of Town and
City Management CEO Martin Blackwell will also be at the meetings.
In a letter to Joe the Minister has made it clear that the development of markets will be one of the forum’s central objectives.
He talks about the need to “support new and small businesses in starting up and competing.
“In particular to support the roll-out of pop-up shops; expand the role of markets and opportunities for new market entrants; and have regard to the costs and
regulatory burden for small retailers.” Joe commented: “It’s great to think the NMTF has been invited to sit on this forum along with the so-called
big boys.
“But when you consider the size of the
markets industry as a whole and its contribution to the economy, as well as our membership penetration amongst the traders, it’s hardly surprising that the Government now appreciates the real contribution we can make to our town and city centres.”
Halifax streets in the sky By JULIEN LEWIS, NMTF President
   One of the three-storey properties
SITUATED either side of the Halifax Borough Market Hall and running parallel to the roof are Southgate Balcony and Market Street Balcony. These “streets in the sky” contain 21 three-storey homes complete with between three to ten bedrooms.
Accessed by steep steps from the pavement, you first see the roof of the market hall. However, turn around and facing you is a row of stone terraced cottages, similar to many others you would see in this mill town.
Sadly most have fallen into disrepair, but two are still occupied and provide spacious living accommodation with unrivalled views, and a prominent town centre location.
Some remedial work has been undertaken on the other properties, but a lot more would be required to bring them up to 21st century standards.
The properties are rich in history with
number 42 opening in 1898 as the Peacock Hotel and although this closed in 1961, many original features remain, including the dumb waiter, and the glazed brickwork in the Dairy Room.
The houses have provided long term accommodation for many, several being market staff, and indeed at
number 34 Mrs Mary Fennelly, whose husband Michael was market caretaker, resided for over 50 years.
Thanks to Geoff Willerton, Head of Planning and Highways at Calderdale Council, along with Market Manager John Walker for their help in facilitating this fascinating visit.
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