DISCUSSIONS are taking place between Frome Town Council and Mendip District Council to reopen Frome’s Saturday market.
The town council has offered to temporarily take on the running of the market, whilst Mendip staff are redeployed to support the vaccination programme. And the town council say that they hope to have some “positive news” soon.
The market, held in Boyle Cross and Market Yard, was temporarily closed in January by the district council, alongside adjustments to the opening times for all its markets including Frome’s Wednesday market, which changed from 9am-2pm to 9am-12pm.
Announcing the changes, the district council explained it was due to “an expected decrease in trader numbers and footfall over recent weeks and months.”
And with no date given for the return of the market, the closure sparked concern for traders who may struggle to survive. A petition, calling on the district council to reverse its decision, has so far been supported by over 640 people.
The petition says that the market closure forces customers who feel safer shopping outdoors, into supermarkets, where it is more difficult to be socially distant. It also calls for traders to be involved in the decision making process.
About the work being done to reopen the market, Frome Town Council’s economic development & regeneration manager, Peter Wheelhouse, told Frome Times, “We recognise the importance of the Saturday market for residents in Frome, particularly as it offers the chance for many to shop outside and safely during the current lockdown. We understand that Mendip District Council has needed to redeploy staff from the market to assist with the much-needed vaccination programme, so we have been working tirelessly with them and Frome Chamber of Commerce to find a solution that would enable the market to be reinstated.
“One of the options we have proposed and are actively exploring is for the town council to take on the running of the market whilst Mendip staff remain redeployed. We hope that we will have some positive news shortly.”
About the changes to their market opening times, Mendip District Council said in January, “Mendip District Council fully recognises the importance of its outdoor markets, and the ability for communities to shop in these open-air environments.
“There has been an expected decrease in trader numbers and footfall over recent weeks and months, as such we are adjusting our market opening times slightly – but will remain open daily.
“All weekday markets will run as normal, but with slightly reduced hours 9am-12 noon. There will be no markets on Saturdays.
“Since the 2020 lockdown, Mendip District Council has worked hard to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to support the delivery of Mendip Markets, and to support its traders as they continue to provide essential provisions, such as food, cleaning products and pet supplies, to the public.
“Your council has ensured markets remain open, and Covid secure. To enable this, we have added additional measures in line with Government guidelines such as recommending the wearing face coverings, encouraging social distancing and the introduction of cash free payment options, in order that our much-loved markets continue to operate as safely as possible for both stall holders and our communities.”
To view the petition, visit the website: www.change.org/p/mendip-district-council-re-open-frome-saturday-market
