Kiosks on move to give shoppers space for cars
EXTRA car parking spaces will be created for Accrington town centre shoppers by removing market pavilions and kiosks on Peel Street.
Market traders have long complained that since the relocation of the bus station there has been a reduction in footfall at the Market Hall and ‘insufficient’ town centre parking.
Council bosses say there is a ‘substantial market stall overcapacity’ on Peel Street and they will now look to transform the area into a car park.
Steve Riley, the council’s environment executive director, said a 2016 scheme to remove market stall overcapacity ‘gained general support from marker traders and members’, however the plans did not progress due to a lack of funding.
In a new report, he said: “Due to the continued reduction in footfall from the shift towards online shopping and expansion of retail centres/ supermarkets, it is recognised there is substantial market stall overcapacity located within the external pavilions and some stone kiosks on Peel Street.
“Traders continue to be supportive of the idea to remove the overcapacity on Peel Street, if the redevelopment provided additional short term car parking and thereby attracting customers into the Market Hall. Due to the acknowledged overcapacity, there is a political wish to see the pavilions removed and to provide more town centre parking.
“Such a scheme could incorporate a continuation of the town square paving, street furniture and raised planters onto Peel Street and open up the Southeast façade of the Market Hall, which was the original Market Hall main entrance in the early 1900s.
“Officers continue to hold discussions with the traders from the Peel Street kiosks and outside stalls on how best to accommodate them within the indoor Market Hall/external pavilion on Market Way if the project was to proceed.
“However, where tenants cannot be relocated with their agreement, the council will follow the appropriate statutory procedures.”
The council will spend £40,000 on a project manager to undertake site investigations and surveys and produce detailed drawings and a tender exercise.
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said: “It’s all about listening to traders, not just the outdoor and indoor market, but also stakeholders who have come back and wanted more parking.
“Parking is key. We are not Manchester. The car is still very important in the smaller towns and we have to get them into the town centre.”