Deputy Mayor of Grantham, District Councillor Charmaine Morgan had an opportunity to present a summary of the Charter Trustees Grantham Market Consultation to the SKDC Culture & Leisure Scrutiny Committee on 26 March 2024.
She said, ‘The report was well received. We had some great feedback and intend to progress as many ideas as possible. Our market is at the heart of our community seeped in history and worth so much more to our community than its economic value. For many socialising with friends and chatting to stallholders means a lot to them. Most visitors were Grantham locals but people also come to Grantham from outlying villages on market day.
Over 96% of respondees value our market but think it requires improvement however. Marketing, signposting and promoting our market is needed including Farmers Markets. A majority of respondees also called for the restoration of the public toilet.
There were many ideas regarding attracting more visitors and stallholders provided in supporting comments and emails. These include, increasing the range of stalls,
providing themed market events eg Medieval Market, French market
and having guest acts to encourage visitors. e.g morris dancers, musicians, school choirs
Stallholders called for the process to book slots to be put online and simplified.
Providing seating areas for food stalls and benches was requested.
Skdc are setting up a working party to look at our District markets.
Cllr Morgan has asked to go onto that cttee. She said:
‘Residents provided over 100 fab ideas which will be explored and hopefully implemented. I want to help see improvements through. Many thanks to everyone who responded to our consultation and those who supported it, including our Mayor and Mayors Parlour officers Chris and Anita.
Cllrs Tim Harrison and Patsy Ellis also joined me submitting survey responses. Cllr Harrison is a keen advocat for the market and has been busy promoting it too.
When we consider how successful our Christmas Market was, we know change is possible.
Reducing parking charges, to encourage Market use, is already underway with the support of SKDC’.
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