A company which currently operates markets in a number of neighbouring towns is proposing to bring a monthly market to Alderley Edge, however the Parish Council has concerns with their proposal.
The Makers Market is proposing, on a three month trial basis, to run a market in the centre of the village on the second Sunday of the month. This would take place on London Road and would involve closing a section of the road between NatWest Bank and Barclays Bank.
The company says it will manage all aspects of traffic management and road closure, based on their experience in Cheadle, Knutsford, Sandbach and Manchester City Centre.
Whilst it is up to Cheshire East Council to decide whether London Road can be closed for these events, the company is requesting that Alderley Edge Parish Council support their proposal.
Speaking at the Parish Council meeting on Monday, 11th April, Councillor Craig Browne said "Personally I have a degree of discomfort with this, I have got to be honest, with the Parish Council supporting something from the outside. I am not clear what the benefits are to either residents or particularly existing businesses who do pay their rates here.
"I could be in favour of supporting it if their proposal was for it to be held here in the Festival Hall because that would bring a direct benefit to the community in one way by providing the Festival Hall with a much needed revenue stream but actually closing the road doesn't do that and as far as I can see it creates potentially more problems than it provides solutions."
Councillors raised concerns about the implications of closing the main road, potential parking problems casued by the traders' vehicles as well as for those people who were visiting the local bars and restaurants. Some councillors also felt it was important to survey businesses in the village to ascertain whether they would be in support of a monthly market.
As a result of the reservations about closing a section of London Road for a monthly market the Parish Council agreed to ask the company to consider an alternative location such as the Festival Hall.
What do you think about London Road being closed one Sunday a month? Would you like to see a market held in the village centre once a month? Share our views via the comment box below.
Comments
Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.
Yes there may be some pain with the road closure, but there are enough back roads and the bypass to cope with the traffic and if the new car parks go ahead parking shouldn't be a problem.
This is a massive plus for the village and if we can push the market organisers to try and attract a different range of stalls to the Wilmslow market, that would make the event a brilliant monthly success.
Will local business rates paying traders really lose out if "outsiders" are allowed to offer the considerably larger community of council tax payers an occasional opportunity to enjoy something a little different?
Will that infrequent event really pose any problem to traffic and to residents of adjacent streets?
On the other hand will such an event attract people to spend money in the restaurants which are the principal establishments actually open on Sunday?
Other than the restaurants I only see two vast supermarket chains open on Sunday's, which if they feel they are losing out can take comfort in the probability that those who are desperate to spend time on Sunday in a supermarket can do so at their premises in Wilmslow and Handforth Dean.
If THE PEOPLE of Alderley Edge allow their alleged representatives to stand in the way of this fabulous community concept, then I can only assume they will do so out of apathy - in which case a miserable minority will win.
The market in Macclesfield brings more people to the town than and other day of the week.
Wienholts pays £11,000 a year to Cheshire East in rates and employs 16 people. Multiply this by the many businesses on the street and there is a significant contribution to the economy.
In contrast each market stall holder pays ( correct me if I am wrong) zero money in rates to Cheshire East and usually have no employees.
A market is a lot of fun, but setting up a pie stall outside my business is (putting it as politely as I can muster) somewhat a poke in the eye!
I don't see how it can have a negative effect on current retail businesses as most of them are closed on Sunday anyway, and those that do open on Sunday will gain from a much higher footfall through the village.
Many of the Artisan stall holders are small / start-up businesses or even hobbyists who are offering something very different to the usual Alderley Edge retail experience and, for one Sunday a month, they should (in my opinion) be welcomed with open arms.
Look forward to visiting the market.
With regard to the market rights to Alderley, Mr Hadfield-Hyde who I think is the 'Lord' so rudely referred to, kindly handed over the rights to hold markets to the Alderley Edge PC in 2014 along with an impressive document which can be seen in the clerk's office at the Festival Hall. Following his gift the Christmas market began in conjunction with the lighting up ceremony arranged by ATAG and representatives of the PC in 2014 when the PC organised and paid for the road closure to enable the event to expand from the precinct car park to the centre of the village.
As people have said these events have been very successful and atmospheric and have brought the village and wider community together.
I'm sure that the PC will make a success of these events.