Residents in County Durham are being asked to help shape plans to revitalise local markets.
Durham County Council is developing a new markets strategy and street trading policy and is seeking the views of residents, shoppers and traders in order to ensure they are taken into account.
The strategy is aimed at improving local markets and boosting town centre economies, for example by having more speciality markets, improving access for disabled people, having a wider mix of local traders and increasing customer numbers.
It is hoped the new plans will benefit local traders, residents and visitors to the county.
At the end of May, Cabinet members agreed to explore the possibility of alternative management arrangements in the future for the ten markets currently controlled by the county council.
A consultation has been launched, which will run until Thursday, August 23 and will look at a wide range of issues relating to markets and street trading, including:

  • which areas are suitable for trading;
  • improving the shopping experience;
  • giving good value for money for local people;
  • supporting businesses and creating jobs;
  • improving town centres; and
  • encouraging visitors to the area.

Owen Cleugh, consumer protection manager at Durham County Council, said: “We are keen to develop a vision for markets and street trading and to recognise the contribution they make to our local economy.
“Nationally it has been reported that sales from traditional markets are on the decline and we need to find new ways of attracting shoppers and visitors.
“That means it is essential that markets and street traders can co-exist with other local businesses to improve trade, provide new opportunities for businesses and help make town centres vibrant and bustling.
“We’re asking people to give us their views so that we can take their feedback into account as we develop the plans.”
There are a number of ways people can take part in the consultation.
An online survey can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/consultation.
Events will be held to enable interested parties, including traders and residents, to look at and feed back on the proposals. These will take place on: 

  • Tuesday 10 July, at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, between 4pm and 9pm;
  • Thursday 12 July, at County Hall, in Committee Room 2, between 4pm and     8.30pm; and
  • Monday 16 July, at Chester-le-Street Civic Centre, between 4pm and 8.30pm.

A paper based questionnaire will also be handed out to shoppers and traders at markets across the county and Durham County Council will have its own market stall where people can take part in the consultation. The market stall will be at the following markets:

  • Barnard Castle on 11 July;
  • Bishop Auckland on 5 and 28 July;
  • Chester-le-Street on 3, 14 and 20 July;
  • Consett on 13, 21 and 26 July;
  • Crook on 7 and 17 July;
  • Durham City on 4 August;
  • Seaham on 6 July;
  • Spennymoor on 11 August;
  • Stanhope on 16 July;
  • Stanley on 30 June.

 The consultation is running until Thursday, August 23. The results will be fed back to Cabinet for consideration in the autumn and any changes could come into effect at the end of the year.