Town Council could take over market

Hertford Town Council could take over the running of the town's market following a meeting of the full council on Monday 17th January.

Taking control of the market from East Herts District Council was first looked at by the Development & Leisure committee back June 2018 but rejected. The reasons for the decision were not made public.

However, following a motion put forward by the Green & Liberal Democrat parties, the council has now agreed to look again at the issue.

Councillor Andrew Porrer (LD, Hertford Kingsmead) said: "East Herts District council first announced it wanted to give up control of the markets back in 2018. Hertford Town Council looked at taking on control in June 2018 but rejected it.  The report produced at the time, setting out the case was confidential and, as I wasn’t a councillor at the time, I am not allowed to see it. Therefore I don’t know why the decision was taken not to take control of our own market when Bishop’s Stortford did."

Cllr Porrer added: "However a lot has happen since then to negatively affect our town centre, not least Covid and the delay of major projects like Bircherley Green. I am therefore please that the council agreed to look again at this.

"Taking control of their market has allowed Bishop’s Stortford to manage it for the benefit of their town by introducing things like a New Trader rate. It would be really good if we in Hertford could do the same to help revitalise our town centre."

In a separate statement, the local Green Party said that a revitalised Hertford Market could play an important role in improving the daytime economy of Hertford by encouraging more people to shop locally. They claim that a strong market could bring a number of benefits to the town, including:

1. Becoming an integral part of the shopping experience
2. Improved daytime trade of Hertford shops, pubs and restaurants as more people come to the town centre
3. Encouraging social and community interaction
4. Providing a platform for non-commercial operations such as charities, clubs and societies
5. Increased spend in Hertford
6. Facilitating space for small business start-ups
7. Enhancing the market's role as a place for affordable, quality products building on excellent local fruit and vegetable offering
8. Promoting environmental sustainability
9. Integrating other street trading options adding to the vitality of the market (eg street musicians)
10. Encouraging casual traders to become regular traders in permanent premises

A new report will now be prepared looking at the options including bringing Hertford market under community control. This will provisionally be discussed at the Development & Leisure meeting of 28th February.