Agenda item

Report attached.

Councillor Jane Black, Cabinet Member for Cultural Economy presented a report giving the Overview and Scrutiny Committee an update on a range of initiatives aimed at supporting the recovery of Bury Market, which was of interest to Overview and Scrutiny.

The report outlined the support that has been given and offered to Market Traders since COVID-19 lockdown measures were introduced by the Government and the control safety measures that have been implemented.

The recovery plan that was being implemented by Market Management, the Market Task and Finish Group and Cross Party Working Group was to consider future opportunities that exist for the Market and the Capital Programme that is underway for upgrades to the Market over the next 4 years. 

Following the enforced closure of Bury Market, due to lockdown measures, all Market Traders were given a two month rent free period from 16^th March 2020 to 16^th May 2020, which was subject to a review on completion. A decision was subsequently taken to continue with a rent free period from 16^th May 2020, to the end of June 2020 (6 weeks), and to 18^th July 2020 for businesses that started trading on 4^th July 2020 (8 weeks).

The initial two month rent freeze for all Traders equated to a loss of income of £400,600. The additional rent free period from 16^th May 2020 to the end of June 2020 (6 weeks), and to 18^th July 2020 for businesses that started trading on 4^th July 2020 (8 weeks), equates to a loss of income of £318,850. The total rent concession to date stands at £719,450.

A number of measures were taken to ensure the Market met the Government guidance when it reopened on 17^th June 2020 and all Traders were required to complete a risk assessment prior to reopening.

For the Markets team the challenge in the long term is to attract footfall to ensure the markets viability whilst ensuring the safety of visitors to the market. A thorough and detailed recovery plan had been developed by Market Management.

The Markets Task and Finish Group and cross party working group had been established to: -

• To agree a strategy for Bury Market to ensure that it remains at the heartof the towns retail experience.
• To help create a vision for how the Market evolves to meet changing consumer tastes and preferences.
• To identify big investment opportunities that can ensure the future of the Market.
• To identify how the Market can better connect with local residents that don’t currently use it.
• Identify how the Market can adapt.

It was agreed at Cabinet in May 2020 that £50,000 is allocated to develop a Masterplan for the Market and the Town Centre as a whole, an indication the Market is seen as vital to the future success of Bury Town Centre.

The Chair asked when the formal paper with clear recommendations will be generated, as stated in the report.

It was reported that the first meeting of the Cross Party Working Group had taken place with second meeting set to be held shortly, once the next meeting had been held a clearer timeline would be available.

Paul Lakin added that designs were to be drafted for a flexible Market Hall space and tenders for this would be produced in the next few weeks.

Councillor Susan Southworth commented on the report and amendments were proposed to the Markets Rules and Regulations, including a review of current opening/closing times.

It was hoped that working closely with traders may enable options for Sunday opening and Christmas Markets.

Councillor Harris asked what was the anticipated daily licence open market occupancy rate expected to be in October.

Andrew Hayes from the Markets office explained that the majority of leases expire in February 2023 although daily trading licenses have a higher turnover. Whilst there was no waiting list there was positive work being undertaken.

Councillor Smith had concerns about how smaller stalls may survive having to comply with social distancing and were any creative measures planned. She added that Radcliffe Market seemed to be a success and was not in direct competition to Bury.

Indoor cafes would be communicated with about spacing requirements and creative measures had been investigated with mini food courts and stalls all contributing to a Bury Market Christmas hamper.

Councillor Walsh placed on record that the Market was a fabulous asset and added if hampers could be produced at other times of the year including Easter and for mothering Sunday.

Councillor Vernon enquired about the breakdown of market costs.

It was reported that this report did not include that information but the breakdown on support packages had been forwarded to the Chair. The operational costs could be forwarded to Members of the committee for their information.

The Chair asked how the £169,000 high street grant from central government would be used?

It was reported that some of this money had been used in the town centre and borough already whilst the European development funds would be looked at by the 3 town centre boards to identify its use.

It was agreed:

That the contents of the report be noted and a request was made if the Cabinet Member for Cultural Economy could report back to a future meeting later in the year with the November meeting date mentioned.