Traders in talks to return to revamped Northampton market

Some stallholders have stopped trading after business suffered with the temporary move

Talks are under way between a council and disgruntled market traders about their move back into a town centre.

Northampton stallholders have been temporarily relocated to a car park in Commercial Street during a £10m renovation of Market Square.

Some have seen trade suffer and claim to have heard nothing yet about plans to move back in the summer, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

West Northamptonshire Council said it was in the process of meeting traders.

The authority offered free rent and put on events to try to attract people to the temporary site.

Terry O'Neill, who owns a football memorabilia stand, said: "It's dreadful down here, there's no footfall at all.

"People have given up years and years of their businesses because it just doesn't work.

"I'm 100% for [revamping the town centre], but you don't kill most of your traders off to try and get that."

Some permanent stalls have been built as part of the renovation to Market Square

The market square renovation work, which began in February 2023, includes 18 fixed stalls along with refreshed paving, water features and seating.

Leader of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) Jonathan Nunn said: "The things that people used to say to me about the market is, not only did they feel that it looked dreary because of the old paving and atmosphere, but actually they didn't think that the offer was quite that good."

He said he hoped the market would be a "unique opportunity" for shopping in the area.

"It's all about reconnecting people having lost that connection with the town," he said.

The council there would be initial offers to bring traders back to Market Square and alleviate some rental cost pressures.

A plan for the future of the project is expected to be presented to the council's cabinet on 16 April.