Councillors to examine the town’s two indoor markets as £28k WiFi installation achieved

Councillors are to scrutinise a report on two of the town’s indoor markets this week, with news Tŷ Pawb’s indoor market is no longer counted as one by officers.

Over two years ago a “Strategic Asset Management Plan 2016-21 (SAMP)” was published, offering a
‘critical appraisal’ of what was then the three town centre indoor markets, 24 retail shops and the outdoor Monday market. Previously we have reported on a £400k wishlist for the markets, however most was due to be funded by the surplus generated – noted at £21k last year. This was part of a decision by councillors to retain the markets and invest in their future.

In the April 2016 the importance of Wrexham’s markets and the “significant contribution” they make to the local economy was acknowledged; with the then members of the employment, business and investment scrutiny committee giving the report their unanimous support.

Now almost a year after the initial meeting, and several years after the first kick start of investment and regeneration plans, members of the employment, business and investment scrutiny committee will have an update on the progress made to the Butchers and General Market.

Wrexham’s indoor markets have been the subject to several scrutiny meetings over the past few years, with criticism often directed at the council by traders, most prominently due to the closure of the People’s Market and conversion to Tŷ Pawb. Back in 2015 a report to councillors noted traders in the other two markets voicing concerns over the possible impact of the development, something that may get quantified this week depending on questions asked.

The markets themselves contribute £154,000 from traders with £120,000 of that being rent and nearly £32,000 in unspecified ‘service charges’. Expenditure of £149,000 is listed in the financial summary, with £45k being various repairs and maintenance, and 51% of the £149k being labelled as ‘other expenditure’.

One of the main expenditures over the past 12 months is the introduction of the highly anticipated public and trader WiFi networks in the two markets. This is listed in the report as costing £28,607.

It is estimated that over the next five years, to comprehensively refurbish the property to an overall standard that would be considered excellent, in the region of £128,000 for the General Market and £290,000 for the Butchers Market would need to be spent.

The past 12 months are described in the report due before councillors as a “transition period” for market traders due to the work taking place in Tŷ Pawb.

During that period six Peoples Market traders temporarily relocated to the Butchers Market – with report noting that it was “important both the General and Butchers Market had a year of stability.”

Works on Tŷ Pawb have apparently completed ‘on budget and on time’ despite ongoing work taking place after opening, with the report saying three traders went back into the new development, plus two existing traders at the Butchers Market moving as well.

Tŷ Pawb / the former Peoples Market are not featured in the SAMP, with the report noting that the site and associated shops will not feature in any future reviews of the markets either, despite Tŷ Pawb clearly being described as a market in various council literature plus it’s address being Market Street.

Tŷ Pawb will probably be examined later this year in it’s own separate report – more detail here.

In terms of vacancy at the two indoor markets being considered, the SAMP explains that “occupancy levels in the General Market and Butchers Market have declined” and that since January 2018 there have been 14 enquiries for market stalls.

Of these enquiries six have “progressed to occupation” at the Butchers Market, with a further three looking to secure stalls at the site in June / July. This would reduce the vacancy levels at the market from 10 to seven.

In the General Market two stalls are listed as being vacant as of May 2018.

Addressing the vacancy issues in the two markets, the report states: “General trading conditions within the markets are challenging and would be improved with an extended range of choice and increased vibrancy for visiting customers.”

Last year several key areas were identified as potential improvements which could help regenerate the two markets and increase occupancy / visitor figures.

The report states that such achievements in the 2017/18 period include upgrading the traders toilets in both markets and repairing the historic clock in the Butchers Market.

One consideration put forward since the SAMP is the removal of four stalls in the Butchers Market to “create some events space that would allow the town centre, markets and events team to deliver a range of events and activities, and potentially a space for traders to occupy for particular showcase events.”

When not in use it is hoped that the space would be used as a “social space” to encourage dwell time”.

However it it noted that this proposal was put to traders in April 2018 – with traders requesting that more time was given to attract more traders to the Butchers Market rather than progressing with that plan at that time. The report states that such proposals will be up for discussion with traders again in July 2018.

Work is also being carried out by students at Wrexham Glyndwr University students who are reviewing footfall, signage and how to attract young people to the markets, both as customers and traders. This project is expected to be completed by August 2018.

The report concludes: “The markets require investment to improve their position and appeal not only locally but on a regional basis and to a growing tourism economy.

“To have a modern dynamic market that appeals to a range of stakeholders including visitors will require a future review of the internal infrastructure (stalls, walkways, entrances etc.) and further consultation will be held with the traders in both the Butchers and the General markets in relation to any future changes that may enable the markets to develop their offer to a wide
demographic profile.

“The Henblas area lies at the heart of the town centre physically and is central to the delivery of the Town Centre Vision and Masterplan, specifically underpinning it as a destination. The heritage character of the Henblas area has the potential to support and build a quality offer.

“We continue to deliver a focused and practical approach to identify and prioritise investments that are required to develop/improve the offering to traders and customers.

“We will assess how the physical elements of markets can be enhanced to attract relevant and sustainable traders to assist with the overall ambition for the area, linking with Henblas Street and Tŷ Pawb.”

The report also includes a helpful map for those members who have not visited the markets for a while.

The report will be debated by members of the employment, business and investment scrutiny committee at 4pm on Wednesday this week, and they will form their own recommendations as a result.