Controversial bid for a new market to take place in Stratford between January and March angers Business Action Group
A DECISION on a controversial bid for a new market to take place in Stratford between January and March will be revealed in the next few days.
At yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) district council licensing meeting, a decision was taken but that has not yet been made public.
LSD Promotions wants to hold a new winter market on Waterside on various dates in the first three months of the year for between 50 and 75 traders – a move which has galvanised opinion among a new grouping of businesses fed up with the ever-increasing number of markets in the town.
Business Action Groups for Stratford-upon-Avon (BAGS) was set up to improve the lives of residents and businesses. It has more than 70 members, many of them fed up that the recognised town centre organisation, Stratford BID, has not stood up to the market invasion.
BID manager Diane Mansell defended its position to the Herald this week and said it welcomed members taking the chance to have a say to the council: “The BID takes a neutral stance on markets as our most recent survey of members on markets showed an almost equal three-way split.
“A third of member businesses were generally supportive of markets, a third were generally against them and a third had no particular opinion either way.
“The BID’s board therefore decided the fairest way it could represent its membership as regards to market alterations was to notify all our members of any applications and advise how objections and comments could be made directly to the licensing authority.
“We welcome the fact that as a result of this due process has been followed and those members who made representations will have those heard at the panel taking place this week.”
But that position has not appeased opponents of the plan who believe enough is enough.
Before the licensing panel met yesterday, Stratford businessman, John Dews, who owns the Marina in Stratford town centre, voiced his concerns about the winter market proposal.
He was keen to point out he was supportive of markets in the town providing they were located in an area already used for markets, ie the market square in Rother Street but not Waterside.
He told the Herald: “Waterside is one of the crown jewels of Stratford.
“We’ve got the theatre, the Bancroft Gardens and the river and you can’t see anything because of the market stalls. We spent millions on Waterside to create World Class Stratford but we can’t see it.”
John’s wife Heather summed up her feelings in three words: “Stratford looks tatty.” He has given his full backing to BAGS and believes Stratford BID is not doing enough to help the established businesses of the town.
BAGS’ spokesperson, Andrew Rothwell, said: “Over 40 Stratford businesses, all members of the newly formed Business Action Groups (BAGS), have lodged their objections to an application to hold a new winter market on the town’s Waterside. The group believes Waterside is unsuitable for a market as it detracts from the free open space, natural views of the Riverside, Canal Basin, Bancroft Gardens and the world-famous RSC.
“Furthermore, the group has objected on the grounds that the market stops footfall from travelling throughout the town, negatively impacting other businesses, as highlighted in the Benchmark report of 2021.
“This report states that 61 per cent of businesses in Stratford are negatively affected by markets, against a national average of just five per cent.
“In addition, the group also believes that the inclusion in the application of the right to sell alcohol at the market not only breaks a fundamental condition relating to the protection of children, but also places those market stalls selling alcohol in direct competition with licensed businesses along Waterside.
“BAGS believes that a simple solution to the issue would be to hold such markets on the traditional marketplace in Rother Street, where they work for the benefit of the whole town.”
At a meeting last week members also agreed to address its frustrations with Stratford BID - the body funded by levies on town centre businesses - by commissioning a review of it.
Mr Rothwell added: “The members have agreed to commission an independent appraisal of Stratforward Ltd BID by one of the UK’s leading BID experts.
“BAGS will urge the board of the Stratford BID to co-operate fully with the appraisal, which will take place over coming weeks. In the interests of transparency, the group has determined to publish the full, unredacted, report along with its recommendations, which the BID will then be encouraged to implement within 30 days.
BAGS cites changes made to Shrewsbury BID after action taken by local traders to bring about reform to its operation and believes the town centre businesses should have a greater say in Stratford.
In terms of the emergence of BAGS, Ms Mansell said: “We welcome anything that gets businesses talking and engaging with each other, their customers and other stakeholders in the town in what is a very challenging time for anyone who is in business.
“Indeed, it is a perfect time for businesses to come forward and say what they want from their BID going forward as over the coming months we will be undergoing a formal consultation period in the run-up to our five-yearly renewal ballot next autumn.
“The beauty of BIDs is that they are designed to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing needs of their members as the face of and demands on our town centres and high streets change. Five yearly re-ballots are a chance to stop and check what is working and what needs changing for the future.
“Although the formal consultation period has not started yet we actually began an informal process some months ago opening up many new channels of communications with our membership to get a feel for what they want going forward.
“We have introduced weekly drop-in sessions whereby any business can pop in to see the team with any issues each Wednesday.
“We have reintroduced regular meetings for particular sectors whereby similar businesses can meet to discuss common issues and concerns facing their industry and support each other. These include hair and beauty, attractions, hospitality and accommodation, national and independent retail, and professional services, this is on top of our regular quarterly Levy Payer meetings.
“Our ambassador service also visits businesses regularly to make sure we are giving businesses multiple ways to feed into the BID.
“The BID is also reinstating a Street Rep system whereby businesses can report issues and concerns to a designated business on their street.
“Interestingly, as part of this preparation work, we are currently already being independently assessed by two of the UK’s leading BID organisations - The BID Foundation and British BIDS. Both are due to report by Christmas. These assessments follow on from an external financial audit of the BID we undertook over the summer.
“The important thing is that we all keep talking and exchanging ideas so we can do the best for the businesses that operate in the town and ensure our town centre has the best possible future.”
