Bromley Council have announced Stage 3 design plans for Bromley Market. Proposals include:
- Move the Street Market further up to the pedestrian area and to surround the market square.
- Add 11 “semi-permanent” (but still 7 days a week) food stalls with seating in the Market Square.
The full plans are available here: LBB Market Stage 3 Design (PDF). This document shows “proof of concept” photos from other boroughs such as Kingston.
BRRA have responded to the consultation with the following points:
Parking
Our residents in Station Road were complaining last week that the current Bromley Market stall-holders are taking up all the car parking spaces at the top of Station Road on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Parking is already very difficult in this area and the Council have recently put height restrictions on the Station Road car-park which has forced all stall-holders to use street parking. This issue needs to be addressed, especially so if the proposal now is to extend either the scope or days of operation of the market. The residents in the area were promised a parking review by the Council on numerous occasions, but have heard nothing since. They are very concerned that parking availability is going to deteriorate from what is already an unworkable situation.
Competition
Secondly, the residents’ association would extend support to those who make a commitment to the town centre through the payment of rates, taxes and the BID levy. We are concerned that existing businesses already have to face unfair competition from temporary stall holders who can operate without these overheads and also that there may be direct conflicts in terms of product offerings between stall holders and businesses. For example, a number of our members own businesses around the Market Square and are very concerned that the proposal to increase the choice of sit-down or take-away food in that area of town would dramatically and negatively affect their footfall. This is footfall that has still not recovered since the road-works in that area. We would argue that the market’s relocation provides a good opportunity to review the product mix thoroughly and ask that extensive thought be given to avoid clashes of offering between permanent premises and temporary stall holders.
Unlet units
I hear from an estate agency contact that some High Street units are difficult to let due to the low quality of the market stalls on prime trading days. I appreciate that the intention is to improve the market facilities generally as well as for blocked views to shops to be minimised and this is to be welcomed. However, I would suggest that LBB needs to review its vision for the market as a whole (if there is one) so that a far higher quality of merchandise is made available than is currently the case.
There will be an opportunity for individuals to contribute to the consultation. When details are released, we will let you know.