Agenda item

Kate Ellis, Strategic Director, Major Developments:

a.    presented the plan for the Lincoln Central Market and requested that the Policy Scrutiny Committee provide feedback to assist in forming the Lincoln Central Market Policy. Once formulated the Policy would then be circulated to members for consideration.

b.    gave the background to the Lincoln Central Market and explained that the refurbishment was well developed and would be fitted out by the end of July with the full market opening in October 2023.

Sammy Pengelly, Events and Culture Officer:

a.    gave a power point presentation on Lincoln Central Market and covered the following main points:

·         Before Regeneration

·         Refurbishment

·         Getting the Right Traders

·         Stallholder Products Mix - Catering

·         Stallholder Products Mix – Produce/ Food Retail

·         Stallholder Products Mix – Retail

·         Products we do not want

·         Selection Process

·         New Market, New Opening Hours

·         Outside Space

·         Next Steps

b.    invited members questions and comments

Question:Had the 50 applications for stalls that had been received so far met the specified criteria?
Response: There had been 50 expressions of interest, applications were not open yet, however, they looked positive.

Question: How would the market be managed in future?
Response: A post of Market Manager was currently out to recruitment, initially on a two year fixed term contract, but a revised business plan would be produced in the future and it was hoped that the post would be made permanent.

Question: How would a decision be made to ensure that the stall application met the specified criteria?
Response: Banks Long and Co had been procured to liaise with traders and apply the criteria, this would provide some independence. A payment for tenant sign-up would be paid to Banks Long and Co and they would receive another payment if they were still trading after six months. This provided an incentive for Banks Long and Co.

Question: What would happen if a business closed down?
Response: We would have a good relationship with small businesses and would offer them support.

Comment: I would be opposed to not having books on the market.
Response: There were other premises in the area that were more suitable for selling books.

Question: Previous tenants were invited to reapply to hold a stall, how much would the rents cost compared to rents before the refurbishment.
Response: The rents had not been formulated yet, we needed market intelligence from Banks Long and Co, but they would cost more than previously and there would also be a service charge. Over the next year we would be transitioning to turnover rents which meant that if a trader was doing really well they would be charged more rent and if the trader earned less they would pay less rent. This would help to support start up and small businesses.
Response: We would be inviting previous stall holders to re-apply, however we would be upfront about needing to meet the criteria.

Question: Had accessibility been considered for people with mobility issues.
Response: The spacing of the stalls had been considered and the re-paving had been made flatter, there were also disabled toilet facilities.

Question: It had been suggested that traders use local products, how would this be monitored and if this was not viable could a trader use non local products?
Response: It would be specified in their business plan, we could specify where they could source their products and make sure that they were meeting the criteria, however, there was some degree of flexibility.

Question: Was the turnover rents initiative nationally accepted?
Response: Yes, nationally there had been a move to turnover rents over the last few years.

Question: There were different opening hours for different stall, what were the security arrangements for stalls that were closed when some remained open?
Response: Each stall was secured with shutters.
Question: Was there CCTV?
Response: Yes, there was.

Question: What procedures were put in place for traders who had a stall previously to ensure that they were not penalised.
Response: Previously we supported traders by relocating them to new premises. If they met the criteria, we would support them to relocate back to the market if needed.

RESOLVED that the presentation be noted with thanks.