MELKSHAM market is set to return to the Market Place after Wiltshire Council admitted its current location in Church Street is failing as it is not visible enough.
The decision to move the market has been proposed following a decreasing number of stalls recently at Church Street since the market started there in September.
The move is to take effect from Tuesday 1st April, with the hope that the increased visibility of the market will increase footfall and trader numbers.
Tom Ince, amenity partnership team leader for Wiltshire Council said, “Footfall at the Church Street market has declined steadily since its launch in September and one of the reasons identified is that the market is not visible enough.
“After discussions with local traders and Melksham Town Council, we are proposing to move the market into the Market Place every Tuesday from 1st April. It is hoped the increased visibility of the market will increase footfall and trader numbers and make the market a valuable asset to the town.”
The decision follows criticism recently from residents who felt the move was needed urgently. In a letter to the Melksham News before the latest announcement of the market relocation resident Pam West said, “There were only three traders there this week. True, the weather hasn’t been great for them recently but mainly it’s because they are in the wrong place. The traders wanted to be in our Market Place where they can be seen by everyone. That is where they should be. No one can see them in the car park, except car users parking. The council should realise by now that Church Street is not the place for them.
“If we want a successful market day in our town, then it has to be in the right place and that is the Market Place. Devizes hold their’s in the Market Place and it’s been very successful for years.”
A period of consultation will now take place regarding the market move, with any objections or concerns in relation to the proposal invited to be made to Wiltshire Council’s market team in writing by Friday 14th March. The team can be emailed at markets@wiltshire.gov.uk or in writing to Kennet House, Sergeant Rogers Way, Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes, SN10 2ET.
