An artist impression of the market at Fish Hill

Vision for Holt to hold weekly outdoor market set to become reality

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
12:42 PM

The first of several plans outlined in Holt’s Vision strategy is set to become a reality after plans to introduce a new weekly market to the town were revealed.

But the proposals have been met with some misgivings as organisers of a well-established indoor market fear the extra stalls could have an impact on their footfall by drawing business away.

A committee made up of town councillors and members of local groups has been tasked with driving forward the improvement projects highlighted in the £30,000 Vision study, and is now pushing ahead with one of the master plan’s recommendations to introduce a weekly market.

A bid has been made to the district council’s Big Society Fund for start up costs to help kick start the market, which will be run in Fish Hill on Fridays. It is initially intended to run for a trial period through July and August.

But concerns have been raised that it will clash with the Friday country market, which has been selling fruit, veg and crafts at St Andrew’s Church hall for 35 years.

Ann Green, chairman of the country market, said: “We fear because of our site that we’ll lose out on a Friday and like everybody else our business hasn’t been as good as it was a few years ago. We’re not against them doing it but we have suggested could they not do it on a different day.”

But those behind the plans think the two markets could complement each other as another scheme within the Vision - to use the car park at Gresham’s pre-prep school in the Market Place for public parking throughout the summer - could draw visitors to St Andrew’s Hall.

Bryan Payne, Holt mayor, thought the country market organisers were “worrying unnecessarily” and said: “If people are parking in Gresham’s they’re going to walk past the front door of the church hall.”

5 comments

bg this clashes with sheringham you wont please everyone

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Double Bill

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
To the operators of the existing market; the new market probably sounds like a threat, but in my experience, you will find that although some people will buy from that market, you need to see the bigger picture that there will be more reason for more people to come in to Holt and for new people to come in Holt too. Talk to the people running the new market and ask them to advertise your market too (a nice big arrowed sign saying "more stalls this way" for instance). Perhaps swap venues from time to time etc. Embrace this opportunity and see it as a challenge to raise your game and diversify your market. I think the two markets can co-exist and grow in popularity if you help each other out rather than warring. Give it a try!

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mjc

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
The point about holding the outdoor market on a Friday appears to be a valid criticism. There are already at least 6 other Friday markets in the county. Would it not make sense therefore to say go for a Saturday which would be more likely to attract far more people to the town and would not clash with the Friday indoor market. Time to return to the drawing board Holt on this one. If the outdoor market turns out to be a white elephant it might well take down the indoor market in the process.

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BG

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
great to see greshams have allowed car parking for those 2 months

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omnishambles

Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Another great reason to visit Holt on a Friday, but pointless without additional parking!

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Ben

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

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