By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Mansfield’s struggling market isn’t profitable two of the five days it runs every week, a council report shows.
Councillors have been debating how to make it more popular in the face of internet shopping, supermarkets and out-of-town retail parks.
The market’s trading days were reduced to five in 2016 – Tuesday to Saturday – due to declining stall numbers.
A report which will go before a Mansfield District Council committee next month shows it is still struggling to break even some days.
The market costs the council just under £11,000 per day to run.
However, it only generates income of £9,000 and £7,000 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays respectively.
Fridays and Saturdays are most popular, making £18,000 and £16,000 for the council, with Thursdays also breaking even.
The council’s cabinet has previously discussed reducing the market days even further.
Sarah Troman, the head of neighbourhood services, wrote in the report: “The market is a challenge as the feedback from resident is that they support the provision of a market in Mansfield, but despite low stall rents over the last few years, there has been a shortage of new traders taking stalls on the market to replace some of those who have retired.
“The investment in the public realm, and close working with partners to address any anti-social behaviour issues in the area will ensure the space is as welcoming and attractive as possible for shoppers, visitors and traders, to ensure the market remains viable into the future.”
Market traders were consulted about the problems in the spring, and suggested that a charge for traders’ parking or maintenance fees were introduced.
However, the council estimates this revenue still wouldn’t be enough to support a five-day market.
Other traders suggested that Tuesday was dropped as a market day and traders be encouraged to move to Wednesday.
The report adds that there is little support from traders to move to an indoor location as this would have less passing traffic than the Market Place.
Rents currently range from £11 to £23 per day, with discounts for multiple stalls.
The issue will be discussed at the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Tuesday, September 3.