Decision details

The Leader of the Opposition moved the following motion

This Council supports the City’s small businesses and market traders and recognises that occupancy levels in the market have recently fallen. The Council encourages the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment** and Newport Norse to provide additional assistance, as a matter of urgency, to increase occupancy levels and footfall in the market.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Margaret Cornelious

(** It was pointed out that the appropriate cabinet member for this issue was the cabinet member for Finance and Resources and it was agreed this would be shown in the minutes)

In moving the motion, the Leader of the Opposition expressed his concern about the situation in Newport market and the perceived inaction by the Council. He felt tangible steps should be taken to assist the market traders and independent traders. He considered that Friar’s Walk should be the start of the city centre regeneration. The Leader of the Opposition referred to communication and action taken by the previous coalition administration at the market and events such as the food festival and Big Splash, both of which seem now to have reduced .He considered relatively small costs could assist in helping encourage use of the market. Occupancy levels were falling.

The Leader of the Opposition recognised the traders needed to do something and that shopping habits have changed. He pointed out that markets in other cities were, however, thriving.

The Leader of the Council moved the following amendment to the motion:

“This Council supports the City’s small businesses and market traders and welcomes the recent meeting between the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources with representatives of the market traders, council officers and Newport Norse, to agree a programme of constructive engagement and an examination of a range of proposals designed to promote footfall, improve management of the market itself, and further improve the market environment;

We note the substantial efforts made by elected members and officers to improve the retail and leisure offer in the city centre. This includes significant increases in footfall since the opening of Friars Walk as evidenced by figures released by Queensbury.

Furthermore, the Council recognises the important role to be played by Newport Now and the Business Improvement District in supporting traditional stores, smaller businesses and the indoor market.

The Council asks the Executive to continue its positive dialogue with the market traders to discuss the variousroles participants can play in progressing this and ensuring that appropriate action is taken, whilst at the same time working with businesses of all sizes to ensure that the improved offer continues to benefit customers and traders in the City.”

The motion was seconded by Councillor Whitcutt.

The Leader of the Opposition stated he would support the amendment

In moving the amendment the Leader of the Council stated the success of Friar’s Walk and the impact on the footfall in the City Centre since our retail and leisure offer was improved by this development.  She mentioned a press article in May 2016 which showed that 5 million people had visited Friar’s Walk in the first 6 months of operation. The Leader stated that the Council enhanced the entrance to the Market to help make it a more attractive appearance and entrance

The Leader mentioned that the previous Leader, Councillor Bright, wrote to the Bus Companies asking them to reconsider their decision to cease the bus services into the High Street, thereby supporting the view of the market traders

The Leader informed Council that before being aware of this motion, the Leader had met, along with Cabinet member for Finance and Resources the local market traders where issues were discussed in a positive manner 

The Leader stated she had no wish to simply move against this motion and give the impression that we will do nothing to help the traders but there is a role for the traders themselves too to encourage business

The Leader commended the work by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Investment to develop Newport Now and the Business Improvement District and referred to the proposed development at Newport Arcade and the hotel development which would help promote that area.

In seconding the motion, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources stated that since being appointed to the portfolio he had visited the market to speak with traders and he and the leader met recently with traders to discuss challenges faced. The discussion centred on how a positive partnership could work together to improve the situation. The cabinet member described the range of issues which had been discussed around how things could improve in what traders described as a superb market building.

A number of members participated in the debate mentioning issues such as:

·        The need to support events that promote small businesses in the city centre

·        The market quarter needs support and development

·        The encouraging action taken recently by the Leader and Cabinet Member

·        Friar’s Walk needs to act as the anchor for the whole city centre retail and leisure offer

·        The need for the traders to play their part in the proposed way forward whilst at the same time recognising potential restrictions

·        The market traders need to consider opening times to encourage footfall

·        People with the right talents and skills need to be involved

·        The Business Improvement District / Newport Now had been developed and there were now 541 businesses in the city centre that are members of the organisation. The board discussed events and marketing and safety and security issues, among other things

·        There had been references to the lack of success of the upper level

·        The market cannot rely on produce alone

·        The credit union encourages footfall

Resolved

To adopt the amendment as moved by the Leader of the Council and as set out above.