News

Devastation as indoor market closes

By Jonathan Low
October 22, 2012

Traders and customers are devastated after Wokingham’s indoor market closed its doors for the final time on Saturday.

The market, in the old Peacocks store in Denmark Street, started in August and was on a three-month trial to help increase footfall in the town.

But after Wokingham Town Council failed to reach an agreement with the landlord to extend the trial and Lloyds TSB submitted an application to move to the unit, the market was forced to close.

“It’s a real shame because it is a perfect place,” said stallholder Joanne Jenkinson, who sold ‘pre-loved’ clothes and shoes.

“There are changing rooms and mirrors so for people like me who sell clothes it’s ideal.

“It’s a great social place because you meet so many different people.

“I’ve really enjoyed it and I hope they will bring something back.”

June Fisher from Posche Bags, added: “Wokingham is a market town so it needs markets like this one.

“The people of Wokingham want something like this and they love it.

“We, as traders are really unhappy the market has had to close, but the customers too are disappointed.

“It’s a lovely environment and everyone has said it’s a shame, without exception.”

Sue Ruston, also from Posche Bags, said: “The traders here support other shops because we bring customers to the town, so it works both ways.

“The talk of regeneration should be to make it a market town, not a banking one – it’s very disappointing.”

Susanne Sims, from Phoenix & Eagle, who offer therapies and spiritual sessions said fewer people would visit the town if the market closed.

She said: “The town will die because there are just too many restaurants.

“The market’s definitely been something worth doing but it’s shame it can’t continue.”

The sentiment of disappointment and sadness was echoed by customers.

Valerie Milam, 48, from Finchampstead, said: “It’s very sad.

“I pop in quite often because there is a wide variety of products on sale.

“It’s a shame the market’s closing because I would have loved for it to stay open until Christmas.”

The closing of the market has led to many of the traders facing an uncertain future.

Sonia Paul from Lotus Eye, said: “I am very disappointed.

“People haven’t been aware of us here and they’ve been coming in and not realised it is going to close.

“I may move to Reading instead.”

Wokingham Town councillor Gwynneth Hewetson, who championed the project, said: “We are all really disappointed.

“We have looked for an alternative but there aren’t any options we can find. Maybe something will crop up later but it won’t be in time for Christmas which was the key as far as we were concerned.

“It was good to try it and some traders have got off the ground now and will hopefully be able to continue running.”

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Most recent user comments 10 of 10

Just when I thought there was some common sense at WBC in the form of Cllr Hewetson promoting this indoor market then the usual WBC thinking rears its head again. The Cllrs have absolutely no idea on how to get the community coming to the town. It would have been better to retain the market for the run up to christmas. This would have brought more people into the town in particular families keen to see Santa and buy christmas material ala the Bath Christmas Market. Instead we get a bank which, in my opinion, has little or no impact on footfall. The last thing we need is another bank in a prime location. When will they ever learn... perhaps never.

Stig2, Wokingham
23/10/2012 at 10:00

Correction to my previous post - business rate *multipliers* are set centrally

alex_f, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 14:22

As far as I understand it, business rates are set centrally and just go back into the central government pot... and Wokingham gets very little back from central government. So businesses probably get very little in return...

alex_f, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 13:58

The problem with one or more businesses moving in to occupy a vacant shop is the level of rates + insurance + poss any damage caused whilst in occupation

Why are rates charged on commercial property in the first place - what do businesses get in return.

come on lads
22/10/2012 at 13:39

@PoneRana - would be a great idea - a town-wide initiative for vacant properties to become temporary markets - if only it could be encouraged by national policy. Or quick and easy temporary change of use for vacant properties. Something which both helps our future local independent traders onto the retail ladder and also provides more life in our town. It's the kind of thing Mary Portas was suggesting in the Portas review too.

alex_f, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 13:18

Splendid decision. Approve planning permission for a retail bank which is failing in just about every respect (and besides, do we not have enough banks....?), and steamroller a superb initiative which not only served to enhance the community but also gave a few small business the opportunty they crave in these desolate times. Not WTC this time, just greedy landowners....

Jolly Chap, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 12:57

The council should be arranging for the stalls to be distributed around the many other empty shops around the town.

PoneRana, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 12:41

Just a further point on the potential benefits of the indoor market:

One thing to also consider is that those stallholders could, in turn, become the store retailers of the future if there is great demand for their products - the independent retailers we are all striving to have and support in our town centre.

alex_f, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 10:01

There are so many reasons why I'd wholeheartedly support a revival of this, when the next opportunity comes.

I've heard of numerous cases where stallholders have been devastated by news of its closure, not just because of the chance to earn a bit of cash, but for the chance to meet and chat with new people in the community. It would therefore not only be potentially beneficial for the town in terms of economic / retail regeneration, but it also in terms of bringing the community together - the exact thing which some raise as often the forgotten aspect in town centre regeneration. So even if on its own it isn't financial beneficial, perhaps it is worth it for the knock-on benefits to the town centre as a whole.

From just the retail point of view, it gives small local businesses and craftspeople a chance to try out their products in a cost-effective and low-risk way. It has made great use of a major empty property which would have otherwise been left making the town look even more lifeless.

As many of you will know, I have been very supportive for the regeneration. If there was one thing however I would challenge, it would be to find something like this which will bring the community regeneration alongside the retail regeneration we need. I know there has previously been some mention of it in the past looking a little tatty, but that was really to be expected with it being a temporary market with limited funding. With a bit of investment, a few traditional market stalls could be put up and it could look really neat, and something for us to be incredibly proud of. If it's permanent I'm sure we as the community would help kit it out, I know I'd give up a few weekends to help. I understand there was an indoor market previously and was replaced by the Courtyard restaurant; I'd like to believe that the economy has now changed to favour this kind of offering. Maybe Courtyard could be offered one of the new units?

alex_f, Wokingham
22/10/2012 at 09:37

Whilst I think the idea of the council promoting an indoor flea market is excellent, I would like to see the numbers. How much money did this cost to host vs. the intangible knock-on benefits. Is it worth doing again? Being able to measure and scruitinise the financial and cultural benefits of this 'mini regeneration' project might go some way to appeasing those who view WBC's regeneration master plan as 'build on green fields to collect rates and sell houses'. This grass-roots regeneration I like. Building on Elms Field, not a lot.