Street Trading – Ashford Town Market

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Welcome to this consultation on the Ashford Town Market. Ashford Borough Council are consulting existing street traders and adjacent shop traders on proposed changes to street trading in Ashford Town Centre.

The current street trading provision in the Lower High Street has decreased over a number of years despite a number of efforts to encourage new trading in this locality. There are now only five traders operating in this area on the market days. Following a cross-party members group it has been determined that the existing arrangements are no longer viable in their own right, and that changes could be made to promote alternative street trading arrangements that enhance the town centre adding interest and animation to the street scene.

It is therefore proposed that we move from having 'market days' to having more established 'permanent' street trading pitches as follows:

Upper High Street

The 'display space' between the bandstand and the tree bed (new play-space), was previously used for commercial bookings from organisations such as cable TV providers and for charity displays, but now sits underutilised for much of the week. It is proposed to create up to three pitches (of 3x6m) in this location, available for trading Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 16:00. This would continue to allow the space to be used for other display and event purposes on Saturdays and Sundays.

An indicative layout is shown below:
Indicative layout of proposed street trading on the Upper High Street

Stalls will be required to utilise commercial grade market gazebos, of a consistent colour scheme to ensure that the trading presents a uniform and tidy appearance within this prime trading space. The orientation and location of the stalls will allow for; stalls to face both the Holland and Barrett and B&M sides of the street, and will allow sufficient space for pedestrians to move around the stalls in this higher footfall area and adjacent to the new play space in this locality. It is proposed to ensure that trading at this locality excludes hot food/drinks, and that no generators will be permitted in the locality, to reduce nuisance and pollution issues. A potential alternate power source is available on the bandstand for stallholders.

Lower High Street

Within the Lower High Street, it is proposed to create up to three trading locations, available for trading Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 15:00.

An indicative layout is shown below:
Indicative layout of proposed street trading on the Lower High Street
A: This area is intended for larger stalls, and those that may not operate under market gazebos, with some flexibility as to the number and type of stalls within the 12m x 5m space. Any stalls will be required to use consistent colour gazebos as in the Upper High Street, or a stall which matches the same design, where a cover is required. No generators will be permitted at this pitch.

B: This area is intended to allow for up to two mobile food traders and allows space for them to include suitable seating between the vendors. Food traders will be encouraged where they compliment the offer in the locality. It is planned to introduce a requirement for any food traders to hold at minimum a three-star food hygiene rating (once rated). Again no generators will be permitted, due to nuisance/pollution issues, but the traders will be able to source power from the nearby fountain electrical connection.

C: Approximately 6x3m (wide by deep). Proposed to be a pitch which utilises market gazebos with any stalls required to use consistent colour gazebos as in the Upper High Street. No generators will be permitted at this pitch.

Feedback

We welcome views of existing street traders, and adjacent shop keepers in the affected areas including any views you may hold as to any potential positive or negative impacts of such a proposal. The feedback will be used to inform any final proposal that may be put forwards to council for decision. 

We ask that feedback is received by Sunday 15th December 2024.
Welcome to this consultation on the Ashford Town Market. Ashford Borough Council are consulting existing street traders and adjacent shop traders on proposed changes to street trading in Ashford Town Centre.

The current street trading provision in the Lower High Street has decreased over a number of years despite a number of efforts to encourage new trading in this locality. There are now only five traders operating in this area on the market days. Following a cross-party members group it has been determined that the existing arrangements are no longer viable in their own right, and that changes could be made to promote alternative street trading arrangements that enhance the town centre adding interest and animation to the street scene.

It is therefore proposed that we move from having 'market days' to having more established 'permanent' street trading pitches as follows:

Upper High Street

The 'display space' between the bandstand and the tree bed (new play-space), was previously used for commercial bookings from organisations such as cable TV providers and for charity displays, but now sits underutilised for much of the week. It is proposed to create up to three pitches (of 3x6m) in this location, available for trading Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 16:00. This would continue to allow the space to be used for other display and event purposes on Saturdays and Sundays.

An indicative layout is shown below:
Indicative layout of proposed street trading on the Upper High Street

Stalls will be required to utilise commercial grade market gazebos, of a consistent colour scheme to ensure that the trading presents a uniform and tidy appearance within this prime trading space. The orientation and location of the stalls will allow for; stalls to face both the Holland and Barrett and B&M sides of the street, and will allow sufficient space for pedestrians to move around the stalls in this higher footfall area and adjacent to the new play space in this locality. It is proposed to ensure that trading at this locality excludes hot food/drinks, and that no generators will be permitted in the locality, to reduce nuisance and pollution issues. A potential alternate power source is available on the bandstand for stallholders.

Lower High Street

Within the Lower High Street, it is proposed to create up to three trading locations, available for trading Monday to Saturday 09:00 to 15:00.

An indicative layout is shown below:
Indicative layout of proposed street trading on the Lower High Street
A: This area is intended for larger stalls, and those that may not operate under market gazebos, with some flexibility as to the number and type of stalls within the 12m x 5m space. Any stalls will be required to use consistent colour gazebos as in the Upper High Street, or a stall which matches the same design, where a cover is required. No generators will be permitted at this pitch.

B: This area is intended to allow for up to two mobile food traders and allows space for them to include suitable seating between the vendors. Food traders will be encouraged where they compliment the offer in the locality. It is planned to introduce a requirement for any food traders to hold at minimum a three-star food hygiene rating (once rated). Again no generators will be permitted, due to nuisance/pollution issues, but the traders will be able to source power from the nearby fountain electrical connection.

C: Approximately 6x3m (wide by deep). Proposed to be a pitch which utilises market gazebos with any stalls required to use consistent colour gazebos as in the Upper High Street. No generators will be permitted at this pitch.

Feedback

We welcome views of existing street traders, and adjacent shop keepers in the affected areas including any views you may hold as to any potential positive or negative impacts of such a proposal. The feedback will be used to inform any final proposal that may be put forwards to council for decision. 

We ask that feedback is received by Sunday 15th December 2024.