Business

Bracknell Market Traders want to know about their future
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Market stallholders ‘left in dark’

By Hugh Fort
May 14, 2012

Frustrated market traders are demanding answers over their future if plans for a 19-storey block of flats win approval.

The traders in Bracknell Market in Market Square say they have no idea what will happen to them if Comer Homes’ plan to build 311 homes on land just outside Bracknell town centre is given the green light.

Plans to replace 3M building submitted

The plan proposes knocking down Winchester House, better known as the former home of 3M in Bond Way.

If the plans are permitted by Bracknell Forest Council, the market will have to move while the project is being carried out.

But the traders say they need to know their futures and are seething at what they see as a lack of information from both the council and the developers.

Take a look at £50m 3M building plans

But the developer and the council both say they cannot give definite answers for how the project will proceed because the plans have not been permitted. Both say there is ‘provision’ for a market in the plans but cannot specify further.

Hazel Kent, manager of the Market Cafe, said: “We need answers, we can’t just carry on like this.

“I can’t see anything in the plans.

“We keep getting told there is ‘provision’, but what does that mean?

“Comer tells us to talk to the council and the council tells us to talk to Comer.

“This is all while people think we’ve closed because they half read the media coverage and our takings are dropping.

“We need people to support the market and we need people to know we’re here.

“Most of all, we need to know what will happen to the market if this development goes ahead.

“At the moment, we don’t have a clue and that’s so worrying for everyone.”

Rob Sheppard, senior engineer for Comer Homes, said: “Comer Group are keen to develop this site since it is believed that this development will significantly enhance both the retail and living experience within the local area.

“Comer Group have always stated that the market is a key resource to the area and have no desire at all for the market to close.

“For the existing building to be demolished and the re-development to take place, then the market will necessarily need to be re-located from under the structure.

“That does not however mean the market will not be able to trade, since transitional facilities can be provided. While there will inevitably be some disruption during the transition period it is hoped that there will be recognition that the results will be significantly beneficial to the market traders as well as to the other local residents and businesses.”

A spokeswoman for the council said the authority could not comment on applications that had not yet been approved, but reiterated the council had insisted provision be made for a market during discussions over the plans.

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Most recent user comments 5 of 5

It's a catch 22 with the market. Stall holders don't take enough money to pay for their pitch and so have to leave. That in turn makes people think that the market is not worth going to and so even less people go there. The only way to make a market work is to advertise, get more stall holders in and then the natural cycle is restored. Alas, we are all struggling down there as trade tails off each time Comer publish their plans because people then believe the market is closed. If anyone would like to have a stall there we would all welcome you with open arms. We need clothes, music, bread, cheese and anything else that won't step on other stall holders toes. It's very true when we say if you don't support your local market you will lose it. Where else in Bracknell can you get material, sewing gear, cake decorating equipment and cheap fruit and veg? The trouble is, we get the occasional new stall but when the holders find the market dead, they give up after a week. It takes longer than a week to build up a reputation and to make people aware you are there. So come on people, why not come and have a stall and get this market going again.

HK, bracknell
15/05/2012 at 15:49

It is simple, the council fails to manage the market properly, it lets it decline, it allows it to slip from an income source to a loss maker and then it can say that the decline in trade justifies a smaller, more compact site at which point the market will become reinvigorated, the site too small and the merry circle continues.

There is a word to describe this - mismanagement

Our council seems to be expert at this.

Wiztwas, Binfield
15/05/2012 at 08:33

I have to somewhat agree with CMA, Bracknell market has gone downhill in the last few years, I remember when the market was full of stalls both inside and out, now there's barely enough stalls to fill the inside. It's hardly worth venturing to the market these days, the only time we really go there is to get our Christmas turkey from the butcher, other than that we don't bother. Please bring back our bigger, better market!!

Chocolatee
14/05/2012 at 21:59

Digging around on the councill planning site, I see that the market is mentioned in section 3.3 and 6.43-6.49 of the "Supporting Statement". I am a bit confused though, about the reference to a "Stoa" (A covered walkway Wikipedia tells me). The green roofs sound quite interesting and good. It is hard to think of the height, as only the last small bit will reach up to 19. It loks like the Market is relocated to "Market Square", but the detail is confusing.

Tim Tof, Bracknell
14/05/2012 at 13:17

I hate the market in Bracknell anyway. In my view the market should be in outdoor space, nice and open, and in natural light. Maybe then I'd bother to look around more. Whenever I've been before it always seems dark and dingy and isn't a pleasant experience.