Newark Town Council leader says market is fundamental to Newark’s identity following report

Newark Market Place has been described as “fundamental to the identity of the town” following a report that highlights the struggles it faces.

Newark Town Council compiled the report into the effectiveness and popularity of Newark Royal Market, which will help to inform any future decisions and changes.

At present, a general market runs on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays offering a range of products from fruit and vegetables to clothing and books; with smaller collectors and bric a brac markets on Mondays and Thursdays.

The report states that the number of traders on Mondays and Thursdays has significantly dropped in recent years, although the general markets have remained stable, despite challenges currently facing the high street.

It was also highlighted that over the past decade there has been a national trend of consumers switching to shopping online and at supermarkets.

Other factors which have had an impact on market usage include the closure of the Newark Cattle Market, which brought many farmers and agricultural workers in the town and problems with congestion which have also led to people avoiding the town centre and further reducing footfall.

The report also recognises that the market is not always accessible for the elderly or those with disabilities as currently there are no bus service routes within 200 yards of the market and taxis are not allowed into the Market Place to pick up or drop off passengers.

Despite a general decline in market use, the report did state that it was still performing well compared with other towns in the area.

Council leader Neil Ross, said: “I would commend this detailed report. It’s a snapshot in time that shows the challenges and opportunities as we stand today in 2023.

“The general trade on the market went down during the pandemic, but it has now recovered to about 75% of where it was before the pandemic.

“It is a difficult trading environment at the moment for all retailers, whether it is markets or those operating from shops.

“But our trade on special markets such as the vegan, craft and Christmas markets have actually gone up and have been very successful, bucking the trend of the general trading difficulties.”

The Market Place has a capacity of up to 130 stalls, with additional spaces available on Bridge Street and Stodman Street if required during specialist and seasonal markets.

A number of other tactics have been used to encourage footfall and support the market such as the successful introduction of the Newark on Sea urban beach during the summer and musical entertainment and street performances throughout the year.

The council leader said: “The market has been around since the 1300s. It’s gone through the Black Death, the English Civil War, two world wars and it’s still going.

“We regard the market as being absolutely fundamental to the identity of the town — we are a market town, that’s who we are.

“We need to identify the areas that are strong and increase and encourage those, which in doing so increases the general footfall and interest in the market and makes the town an attractive place to visit.

“The format and the way the market operates has changed over the years and it will continue to change with trends in the future but and we will continue to support it.”

Mr Ross added that the council would await the outcome of the Newark Masterplan, which is currently going through a consultation phase, before making any changes to the current format of the market and all trading days will remain the same for the time being.

Residents are also encouraged to think about using the market as their first port of call.

“There are always unusual things that you can find on the market that you might not be able to find in a high street shop,” he said.

“You get friendly service, you can buy as little or as much as you want and people visit from as far as Nottingham, Lincoln, Sheffield and York to visit our market.

“I spoke to a lady who visits one of the hardware stalls on the market and was absolutely delighted that she was able to buy things that she would have struggled to find anywhere else.

“The food is locally sourced, it hasn’t travelled far, and instead of buying a plastic pack of eight of ten apples you can just pick up two or three if that’s all you want.

“I think that flexibility, reducing waste, reducing carbon is important at a time when we want to reduce environmental costs in food production and the way we shop, and using the market is an intelligent way to achieve that.

“But the the most important thing is that if we don’t use the market, then we run the risk of losing it and it’s up to us to support it and go and shop there.

“We are proud of this place and nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing people visiting and saying how wonderful our town is.”

Market stalls are currently fully booked for the market on the day of the Christmas Lights Switch On in the Market Place on November 26 and over 100 traders will be at the Christmas markets on December 9 and 10.