Agenda item

(i)               That the proposed Phase 1 improvements to the market in Newcastle be approved.

(ii)              That the Service Director – Neighbourhood Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, be authorised to finalise detailed plans for the proposed Phase 2 improvements to the market in Newcastle and consult with traders and other stakeholders.

(iii)             That the Service Director – Neighbourhood Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, be authorised to invite and award tenders for the works, up to the value of the available Future High Streets Funding of £396,851

(iv)             That a free market be offered to traders on Mondays to seek to boost trader numbers on that day

The Leader introduced a report seeking approval for proposed improvements to the market in Newcastle.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth advised that the improvements would be done in two stages.  Removing some of the fixed stalls which have attracted anti-social behaviour near to the Guildhall and removing thirteen fixed stalls from the lower part of the High Street.  The retained stalls would all have new canopies and temporary stalls would be purchased and made available. 

Temporary stall pitches would then be marked out and landscaping improvements would be carried out including the provision of street furniture and an advertising screen in lower High Street.

The Leader stated that the current administration had set out to revive the market and to keep it in-house.  The Future High Streets Funding allowed for public realm improvements around the market.  The first phase of the work would take place before Christmas.  When the stalls are removed from outside the former W H Smiths, new recycle bins would be placed there. There would be a free market on Mondays for traders. 

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning welcomed the improvements stating that it would improve the heritage site at the bottom end of the town.

Councillor Brockie had concerns about the lawned area stating that it could attract anti-social behaviour (ASB) and would require maintaining.  Also, the existing canopies had been subject to repeated vandalism plus were showing wear and tear.  It was difficult to see how replacing them with that of a similar nature would mitigate the damage.  Would it be possible to look at some way of reinforcing the roofs.  Also, in removing the temporary stalls between larger events may not be realistic budgeting.  Three people would be required to move them and a projection of the manpower would be useful.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth was asked for assurance that the market would be given the priority that it deserved in terms of quality investment.

The Leader stated that the grassed area would be a focal point and is seen in many town centres and outside of universities for example.  Regarding the canopies, the main problem with them was age although they had been vandalised on the odd occasion.  Materials were being sought that were ASB resistant.  Referring to the manpower for removing the temporary stalls, the Leader, this had been included in the budget proposal put forward in February.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth advised that funding for market improvements passed £11 million from the Future High Streets Fund which took into account a number of priority projects in the regeneration of the town centre.

Resolved:    (i)       That the proposed Phase 1 improvements to the market

in Newcastle be approved.

(ii)             `That the Service Director – Neighbourhood Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, be authorised to finalise detailed plans for the proposed Phase 2 improvements to the market in Newcastle and consult with traders and other stakeholders.

(iii)           That the Service Director – Neighbourhood Delivery, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Town Centres and Growth, be authorised to invite and award tenders for the works, up to the value of the available Future High Streets Funding of £396,851

(iv)           That a free market be offered to traders on Mondays to seek to boost trader numbers on that day.

Watch the debate here