Bishop’s Stortford Town Council to trial new stalls layout in Market Square in move to revitalise market

Bishop’s Stortford Town Council wants to “revitalise” Market Square with more stalls on Thursdays.

At a meeting of the environment and public amenities committee on Monday evening (November 18), chief executive Huw Jones won members’ backing to trial a new layout.

In its most recent heyday in the 1980s, the market stretched from South Street to North Street, with stalls packed into Market Square and along Market Street.

More recently, a much-reduced number of Thursday and Saturday traders have preferred South Street, with North Street reserved for the town council’s monthly farmers’ and craft market.

A report told councillors: “The first aim is to develop Market Square by reconfiguring trader pitches to accommodate more vendors and enhance the square's appearance and functionality.

“This development will initially be trialled on Thursdays, where currently only two traders operate.

“The second aim is to explore the potential relocation of the farmers’ and crafts market from North Street to Market Square.

“A new layout and increased trader presence on Thursdays will be assessed for effectiveness before considering expanding the market operations to other days, including Sundays, to capitalise on higher footfall and business opportunities.”

As a first step, Mr Jones outlined how more space could be created simply by moving the regular flower stall back towards the former Dough & Co restaurant.

A plan presented to the committee shows how the vendor could be joined by a fruit and vegetable stall, as well as the usual Cheese and Pie Man van. Other plans illustrate up to eight pitches.

Mr Jones said: “We feel we are missing a trick with the Market Square.”

He conceded the area was small compared to Saffron Walden and other towns, but said: “It has so much character and is the heart of the town centre.”

He argued that the calibre of stalls should be ramped up to provide the market Bishop’s Stortford residents “expect and deserve”.

Cllr Holly Drake suggested a stall like Crystal Waters – which sells fresh fish and also offers cooked snacks and wine at Saffron Walden market – could make Bishop’s Stortford a destination.

She said more seating should be provided to support the street food stalls trading on South Street. She also suggested stalls should be grouped in categories to ramp up sales.

Cllr Yvonne Estop asked for a detailed plan of Market Square to be produced to ensure access for other businesses could be maintained if the changes went ahead.

The town council took over management of the market from East Herts Council in 2015. Two years later the authority pushed the district to win control of the market rights too.

The ancient charter, granted by the Bishop of London in 1336, controls rival events within 6.66 miles of the town, with the option to charge a fee before they can take place.

The market currently generates around £1,000 a month for the town council.