Make the Market great again

Tuesday 18 December 2018

A successful reintroduction of market stalls into Guernsey's Market building will need strong support from traders and the public alike, according to the Director of the building's management company.

Sonia Taylor said, the idea will work if the time and effort is put in from all parties.

Bailiwick Estates, the company running the Market in Town, wants to make it a retail hub once again. With that in mind, they've unveiled more details for their plans for the Inner Market Street, which they say will give the central site a new lease of life, with new offerings launching and opening in March next year.

Last night, a public meeting was held in the street, so would be stakeholders to get all the information they'd need to apply for one of the market stall positions or any of the cultural facilities planned. 

Overall, eight market stalls will be put in the Inner Street, alongside an exhibition space on a new mezzanine floor, a cafe environment, toilets and more. But the message Ms Taylor wanted to get across, was that people needed to work with them for this to ever succeed. 

"At this stage we are asking interested parties to provide some detail of the type of interest and have produced a basic information sheet for expressions of Interest to be submitted so we may gauge commitment and relevance in today's retail environment," she said.

"The commercial success of the Inner Street Market will depend on the drive and commitment of the traders to create quality businesses that are sustainable for six days a week, all year round, and provide the atmosphere today's shoppers are looking for."

Pictured: An art exhibition is currently ongoing inside the Market - and there are plans for similar events to go on throughout the year on the new mezzanine floor, that is currently being built. 

Bailiwick Estates has already made leaps and bounds in driving footfall around the market, with the now well-established Fresh Fridays in the square, Christmas markets and a number of different events taking place just outside their building. 

Now, their strategy is to reinvigorate the building itself, but Ms Taylor said they did not want to do this by trying to duplicate the old market, because it was "practically impossible". 

"It is envisaged that a vibrant all-weather Market Inner Street will be operating six days a week - all year round - with a variety of cultural and commercial events taking place at different times, altogether providing an enjoyable mix of retail, social and cultural experiences."

A form is available for potential traders to show interest. Rent would be £120 a week, with the potential of a rent free start. The form asks not only if a potential trader already has an established business, but also if they would be interested in working as part of a consortium to share the stall.

Pictured top: The entrance to the Market's Inner Street.