The future of shopping at The Shambles market in Devizes is to put in the hands of residents of the town – which could influence whether it becomes a large modern food hall.
Devizes Town Council is to turn to residents to ask them what they would like to buy at the indoor market and if they are happy or unhappy with the way it is now.
The public consultation could revive the controversy over options put forward by council officers last year that The Shambles could be modernised to feature a mezzanine floor for a food hall.
In a presentation to councillors in August 2021, the town clerk Simon Fisher and the market manager Mark Hill raised the idea that the market could be redeveloped and changed to appeal to younger shoppers who look for more food options.
At that meeting, Mr Hill explained: "We have to adapt to the changing face of retail. The older generation that have supported markets sadly will die out in the next five, ten, 15 or 20 years. If we don't fill that void in making the market a younger experience, then there will be a big gap."
The officers said then that having more food options could help entice shoppers.
Mr Fisher said: "Young people are generally not drawn to traditional market experiences. Food is becoming king. Every organisation, whether it be a market, supermarket or department store, is driving toward food."
The food hall option has caused concern and protests from the current traders, a number of whom sell crafts, antiques, vintage clothing, pet supplies and bric-a-brac.
At a meeting of the full council today (March 10), councillors will be asked to approve The Shambles working party’s recommendation that the community is consulted on the future of the market.
The council says: “To help the town council understand the community’s aspirations for the future of the Shambles, as many groups, organisations, businesses and individuals as possible will be encouraged to engage in the consultation.”
The consultation would run for six weeks from Saturday, March 12 to Monday, April 25.
The working party proposes four core requirements for the future of the market: that it should be a tourist attraction and should encourage tourism, that its local history is promoted, that it should attract not just residents but also visitors to the town and that “The Shambles is an integral part of the town council’s vision for the centre of Devizes.”
The survey will ask the public what sort of things they would like to buy in The Shambles – with options including wine and spirits, street food, flowers and plants and farmers market products – whether they can find what they are looking for in the market, what “barriers” there are to them shopping there, do they ever shop in The Shambles and are they even aware that the indoor market exists?
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