Lancaster's Indoor Market Saved By Greens
02 April 2010
Green Party Councillors are delighted that, as a result of the Green motion at full council supported by Labour and other councillors, Lancaster's indoor market is to remain open and the tenants are to get new leases, following two years of uncertainty about the market's future.
Ward Councillor Anne Chapman said:
"The real work starts now and the Council needs to work hard to produce a re-invigorated market that can maximise its contribution to tourism, jobs, regeneration, local food, choice and health. We look forward to getting on with this job."
Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate, Gina Dowding said:
"This is great news. It is clear from the size of recent support from shoppers that people in Lancaster want to see the market retained and revitalized and offering the choice that it once did. We have very committed traders and we have local shoppers who will get behind the market. Hopefully now with this renewed commitment from the Council we can start to make the improvements so that Lancaster can have a successful indoor market once again."
Notes:
Lancaster's indoor market was saved by a narrow margin - 24 in favour (Greens, Labour, 1 Tory and 2 free independents), 19 Against (Lib Dems, most Conservatives, most Morecambe Bay Independents and 1 free independent) and 3 abstentions.
The alternative option favoured by most of those who voted against the Green motion was to terminate the market traders’ leases, spend a lot of money converting the 2-storey market hall building into a ‘white box’ and giving a further large sum to a single trader to incentivize them to sub-rent the building from the City Council.
The building is owned by a private company, and Lancaster City Council signed a 99 year lease in 1995 to rent it from them, after the previous Council-owned market building was destroyed in a fire. The current net cost to the Council is over £500,000 per year.
Green Group motion for Council 31/3/10: Lancaster Market
Council notes that the Council has been unable to secure a single tenant to its satisfaction since January 2008 and also that the option of a market on one floor is expensive in terms of capital costs and has many legal difficulties. Council also notes the desirability of a thriving indoor market in terms of employment and service to the district. Council therefore resolves that:
1. The City Council renews all existing tenancy agreements in accordance with the landlord and tenant act.
2. That the City Council endeavours to negotiate by agreement an amendment to the terms and conditions which would permit the City Council to consider any plans to refurbish the market hall.
3. That a sum of £150,000 is set aside that can be used for professional advice on running a successful market and on potential costs of refurbishment. However, money spent on consultants should be kept to the minimium possible.
4. That the option to tax the market should be re-affirmed, should this be necessary, to protect the Council from any VAT liability on any of the proposed capital works.
5. That a working group of councillors from all groups be set up to oversee plans for refurbishment and revitalisation of the market. That this working group gets expert advice and considers visiting other successful indoor markets.
6. That this working group to report back to cabinet at key points.
7. That the Council looks at all options in terms of reducing the overheads of the market and on the staff needed to make Lancaster market more successful.
8. That the working group considers the advantages of licenses/tenancies for new businesses in the market.
9. That the working group considers options such as making the market more food-based (particularly local food), attracting key businesses, such as a bakery, and marketing the market as a visitor attraction for the city centre.
Proposed Cllr Jon Barry (Green)
Seconded Cllr Eileen Blamire (Labour)
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