Agenda item

The Deputy Leader of the Council presented the report which provided an update on the markets action plan, which was presented to the Committee in September 2024.

The action plan was designed to facilitate the delivery of the recommendations from the High Street Experts Review of Bourne, Grantham and Stamford Markets.

The action plan had been updated to include timelines and financial information as requested at the last meeting of the Committee.

To aid the implementation of the actions identified in the consultant-led review, the team also bid for funding from UKSPF, and the bid was successful.

The action plan (appendix 1) outlined which actions were funding by the UKSPF bid and which actions required additional funding.

A total grant of £58,200 has been awarded to improve the markets through the UKSPF. This funding is split across the three markets and does not focus on one market specifically. The key areas covered by the bid were:

• Lamp banners, fin banners and railing banners, • Branded canvas bags,

• Stall covers, • Road closure barriers and signage,

• String lights and powerpacks, • Wheeled cages, • Heavy duty cable ramping, • A stage, • Enhanced marketing, • Gazebos, covers and weights,

• Business support for traders, and • Street performance budget.

Following completion of the action plan, an additional £30,000 worth of funding would be required. To facilitate this, budget proposals for 2025/26 include the formation of a new Revenue Reserve, which could be used to fund the agreed actions as set out in the action plan. If approved, the Action Plan could be delivered in its entirety in the 2025/25 financial year.

·       It was queried whether the proposed £4,000 stage was for one stage, or one for each market.

It was clarified the proposed stage was one mobile stage, which could travel around the District.

One Member queried dimensions and sizes of the proposed stage.

The Deputy Leader of the Council clarified the stage would be large enough to hold a band and instruments. It was noted that additions could be added onto the stage if required.

£10,000 had been allocated for stall covers, it was queried whether they would just be for Grantham market stalls. The maximum capacity for stall holders at Grantham market was questioned.

The Head of Waste and Markets confirmed that Grantham market was in a set geographical location and could bigger or smaller. The market could grow significantly depending on how many road closures would want to be put into place. It was noted that Stamford market was at full capacity for stall holders, however, Grantham and Bourne market had scope for growth.

ACTION: For the Head of Waste and Markets to provide a maximum capacity number for stall holders in Grantham Market. 

One Member highlighted that historically a promotion vehicle had been purchased by the Council, it was queried what lessons were learnt.

The Deputy Leader of the Council confirmed the previous promotion vehicle bought by the Council was not fit for purpose or viable for travelling around the District and was only used a number of times. The Committee were assured that that lessons were learnt from the promotion vehicle.

It was noted that around 40 stalls were not being utilised for Grantham market at present.

The stage would mainly be used at the marketplace and used to enhance Grantham market. For events of a larger scale, a bigger stage would need to be hired in.

Clarification was sought on the introduction of a market/high street loyalty card.

The Head of Waste and Markets confirmed the loyalty card had been included within the action plan at £3,000 per market town as part of a consultant- led review.

It was highlighted that each market differed in size, however, one amount of £3,000 applied to all, It was queried why one amount applied to all 3 markets.

It was further queried how money would be returned to retailers for the discount offered by the scheme and how this would be dealt with.

ACTION: For the Economic Development team to provide information on how money would be returned to retailers for the discount offered by the loyalty scheme.

It was clarified that traders were against the Council providing the loyalty card and would prefer the funding being provided to them directly.

As part of the action plan, it was suggested that smart targets or KPI’s be included to cover markets.

One Member discussed the financial position of the markets. It was stated that in 12 months the deficit of running markets had doubled.  

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing confirmed that particular KPI’s could be added by the Committee. A review of the KPI’s would take place in Autumn 2025 Q2, where the Committee can consider changes to their specific KPI’s.

That the Committee:

1. Review the amended Action Plan and provide feedback on its contents and the resource implications required to deliver the Action Plan.