Market trader benefits could be extended due to regeneration problems, council confirms
Rotherham’s market is part of a wider regeneration scheme
Access problems around Rotherham’s town centre market have been acknowledged by the council - with plans to install a platform lift hit by manufacturing delays and an existing one plagued by faults.
The situation is so serious the council is now looking at the possibility of extending a free-rent period for traders.
MP Sarah Champion wrote to council chief executive John Edwards to raise concerns about the impact of regeneration work on traders.
He has responded, with an acceptance of “the challenges traders have experienced during the relocation and wider construction programme”.
But he also opened up on issues around access to the current stallholders on the market.
At present, customers can reach the market via Henry Street, or Eastwood Lane.
Henry Street uses a lift, which “has experienced a number of operational issues in recent weeks”, said Mr Edwards, though those have been fixed and the performance of the lift is being monitored.
The Eastwood Lane is the other access point, and is a step-free route into the main market entrance which has been designed for ease of use by those who would find stairs difficult.
Fresh signage has recently been installed to help flag up that route.
It is anticipated a new, direct, route into the market will become available when work in Drummond Street is completed next month, giving access from the car park, via a pelican crossing to a direct access to the market.
Mr Edwards added: “Pedestrians will also benefit from a continuous walkway along the library side of Drummond Street, removing the need to cross the road near Tesco”.
Traders have been complaining of low customer numbers in the market and Mr Edwards acknowledged the validity of that, stating: “A number of factors are likely to have contributed to this, including the summer closure of the college and the exceptionally hot weather experienced during the period.
“However, we recognise that accessibility issues and ongoing construction activity may also have had an impact.
“We continue to monitor visitor numbers and work pro-actively to support traders and increase market activity.”
He insisted the council had provided support for traders, including rent concessions, to help them through the changes.
“In recognition that some temporary challenges remain while the final phases of the project are completed, we are currently considering an extension to the existing rent-free period,” he said.