Sleaford: Market Place £1m revamp will hit business - traders

The revamped area outside St Denys' Church in Sleaford would replace a car park with new lighting, flowerbeds and seating areas

A new-look £1m public space in Sleaford will cause local businesses to "struggle", traders have said.

Sleaford Market, which dates back to the early 12th Century, is held three times a week on Market Place by St Denys' Church.

North Kesteven District Council altered its plans for Market Place after local opposition, but some business owners remain concerned about impact on trade.

The local authority said it was listening to traders.

The council proposed replacing a car park outside the church with flowerbeds and seating areas.

More than 100 objections were lodged against initial plans, claiming they discriminated against visitors with disabilities and would take away valuable events and market space, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The council, which has since resubmitted the plans, altered the plans to include better access to shops and said it was reassessing disabled parking.

But florist Chris Ford, 64, said "there will be no Market Place for people to park and see".

Market trader Chris Ford says the changes to the public space do not have the best interests of stall owners at heart

"It makes me feel like we do not matter," the market trader said.

"They do not care about the market and they do not want it any more."

Fish stall owner Trevor Blythin, 52, said the plans for the area "look lovely" but a sense of community spirit would be lost from the area.

"I will not be able to come onto the market as I have chilled units and I need electricity," he said.

"Local businesses will struggle, this will affect the town and this square - I hope the planning will be changed again."

Although positive about the look of the overall plans, fishmonger Trevor Blythin had concerns for the market and business owners surrounding the space

The council said people could register their comments via a planning portal until 1 December.

Alan Gray, the council's economic development manager, said: "The fact we are making some changes by the comments we have received means that we are listening to traders.

"The proposals are trying to make the town centre a more attractive place for retail whilst increasing footfall to offset the impact of the pandemic."