Agenda item

The Deputy Chair, Councillor Baah, introduced the report which asked the Committee to consider a petition received by the Council, asking for the return of Lewes Farmers Market to Cliff High Street from its current location in Friars Walk Car Park.

Councillor Wendy Maples, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Wellbeing, addressed the Committee and highlighted the following points:

·       The two issues raised as part of the discussion were: the impact on other traders of moving the Farmers Market back to the precinct; and concerns over the existing use of Friars Walk Car Park for the Market and the loss of parking spaces for visitors to Lewes.

·       Concern had been expressed over access to the car park for those with mobility issues, and subsequently the Town, through the removal of two disabled parking bays to accommodate the Market. However, this had been addressed and two further blue-badge spaces were being provided by the entrance to the Car Park. Common Cause was also looking at improving ramp access to public toilets – both these concerns had been raised by the Lewes Area Access Group.

·       Disabled access had been one of the considerations when the Market was moved from the Cliffe Precinct, with uneven, cobbled surfaces and other trip hazards, along with the restriction of access around stalls and vehicle movement by stallholders, raised as concerns by the Lewes Area Access Group. The Friars Walk Car Park provided a more even surface.

·       It was important that the Council managed spaces, such as car parks and cobbled or uneven brick pavements safely and inclusively. Various configurations of a potential Market layout in the Cliffe Precinct had been considered but health and safety concerns continued to present the greatest challenge.

·       Any decision on the future of the Market needed to be based on evidence with health and safety, access and the interests of all traders in the Town considered. It was recognised that there were a number of interest groups and that they should all be included in future discussions.

Julie Quanstrom, Head of Neighbourhood First, outlined the background to the presentation of the Petition to the Council and highlighted the following points:

·       More information was needed on the number of spaces currently available, the number of spaces needed to accommodate visitors and how spaces were currently being used. It was not felt that sufficient information was currently available and the use of a survey, along with a thorough overview of the issues, including the views of all stakeholders, should be considered.

Celia Shultz, a retailer/trader in Lewes, and presenter of the Petition, addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·       18 other traders in Riverside Walk were represented in the Petition. The traders were not opposed to the Market itself, but rather its location. The Petition had been based on one question, which was whether the Market should be retained in its current location or be returned to its previous location in Cliffe Precinct. The Petition had received 924 signatures.

·       It was not felt that clear information on the nature of historic complaints about the Market’s location, the volume of those complaints or when the complaints had been received, had been provided. Other locations had been suggested for the relocation of the Market.

·       It was noted that the recently undertaken footfall survey had been in one location in Riverside Walk and on only two days. It was not felt that this was sufficient evidence to support a decision. It was further felt that insufficient information on the reasons for the customer visits, parking locations and whether the Market had been visited also, had been collected.

·       A small, face-to-face survey had recently been carried out by Riverside traders, with other traders in the Cliffe Precinct and the High Street. Of the 22 traders spoken to, 2 had opposed the return of the Market to the Cliffe Precinct.

·       It was felt that the return of the parking spaces in the Friar’s Walk Car Park that were currently taken up by the Market would allow more visitors and residents to park and shop in the Riverside, the Market and the High Street.

Topsy Jewel, a Market trader and member of Common Cause, addressed the Committee and raised the following points:

·       When located at Cliffe Precinct, the Market had a good relationship with other shop traders, however the shop owners commented that they did not start trading properly until the afternoon each day, when the Market packed down.

·       Common Cause felt that, whereas previously, local shops had agreed to remove tables and chairs to allow the Market space, this would now be difficult to reverse as the availability of the tables and chairs was an established element of the businesses. The space currently available in the Cliffe Precinct was not sufficient to support the Market.

The Committee discussed the issue and during discussion, the following points were raised.

·       The Market was keen to increase its size, stall numbers had not increased back to pre-Covid numbers. It did not follow that more space would be needed as a balance of the types of stalls and products sold was needed, with the need to avoid duplication. The Market encouraged produce makers and farmers to be involved, as well as supporting start-up businesses.

·       An in-depth look at of the type of study/analysis and whether further, independent surveys were needed, had not yet been done. It was recognised that the areas that needed consideration were the availability of car park spaces in Friars Walk, as well as other car parks in Lewes, access and safety issues, as well as the needs of all businesses. Access to the Market by public transport and other modes of transportation should also be considered as part of any work.

·       Members requested that an independent survey that considered all aspects of the issue be provided. It was also requested that stakeholders be included in future discussions.

Resolved

a)    That an update be provided to the Committee at its next meeting, that detailed the various elements and options that would need to form part of a survey; and

b)    That any future surveys used to inform the work be carried out by an independent provider.