Backing for plan to stage street market in Acomb (From York Press)

Backing for plan to stage street market in Acomb

9:13am Wednesday 14th November 2012 in News By Richard Catton, richard.catton@thepress.co.uk

A STREET market in Acomb could bring in more shoppers and help to rejuvenate Front Street, according to local business and shop owners.

The idea of allowing a market in the area is top of the agenda at next week’s meeting of the recently-formed Acomb Alive group, a traders’ association set up to boost business.

The plan, which will also go before a City of York public information meeting in Acomb next month, has been welcomed by shops in the area.

Jo Milner, who runs Mia Spa in Front Street, said: “If it brings people into Acomb it’s a good thing, but if it’s just going to be a ‘tat’ market we don’t need that.

“It would be nice to have a market near Christmas and give people something different to buy.”

Becci Thelman, of gift shop All Wrapped Up, said she would consider running a stall at the market.

“I would give it my support,” she said: “We would do a stall because this end of Acomb can be very different from the pedestrianised end. I think we should have late night shopping, too.”

Fellow Acomb businessman Mansell Hughes, who runs Steve’s Shoe Repairs on Green Lane, said: “It would probably help because it would bring people here to see what there was.”

The street market plan follows a City of York Council consultation in the summer which found local residents wanted to see more variety in retail opportunities and suggested holding a market.

The council said it was possible a trial market could be held next spring. Coun Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for crime and stronger communities, said: “A market for Front Street is potentially a great idea to add to the main shopping area for Acomb and I would be interested to know what local people think of it.”

The public meeting takes place between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday, December 8 in Acomb Parish Church Hall.