By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans have been submitted to make Eagle Square the permanent home for Arnold Market.
Traders were moved from their original town centre location of 50 years to Eagle Square in 2021, while work on the £4m Arnold Market Place (AMP) development took place.
A Gedling Borough Council consultation on the market’s future permanent home was scheduled to take place in 2022, but it was delayed by two years due to a restructure and changes in staffing.
Traders have been working out of the new location under a temporary licence agreement, which had been extended to 2026, ever since.
The consultation began this year and closed on October 27, and the council has now submitted finalised plans to make Eagle Square the market’s permanent home.
Some traders previously told the Local Democracy Reporting Service their new spot in Eagle Square had actually increased footfall to their stalls.
Cllr David Ellis (Lab), who sits on the Arnold Local Area Forum, said: “Traders tell us that it is better for them in many ways, and they feel a bit more in the flow of things and are more likely to get trade.
“It also lets us open up the space outside the AMP for other things. We had the Christmas lights switch-on there recently.
“It seems to be a win-win. It was one of those things where you try it and see if it works. Some people had said leave the traders where they had been, but they seem happy where they are now.”
Cllr Sandra Barnes (Lab), also of the Arnold Local Area Forum, added: “I think that area is better. I think it is what traders want.”
According to planning documents, submitted by the council’s ‘Town Centre Manager’ Ophelia Gamble, the authority is seeking permission to allow the land to be used by up to 12 market stalls.
Documents say the application is for the “full planning permission for Eagle Square to be the permanent trading site for Eagle Square Market.”
Cllr Ellis said he expects the plans to be tabled at a future Planning Committee meeting for determination.
Arnold Market runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
