Support for market idea (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Support for market idea

10:11am Friday 31st July 2009

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Sir.–I agree totally with Karen Newman’s great idea to turn the Woolies site (right) into a market/craft outlet.

We need one so much in Basingstoke and a big, central site like that would be ideal.

A friend and I are very keen crafters and find it difficult to find outlets where we can display and sell whatever we produce, whether it be paintings, jewel-lery, photographs or cards.

I know she and I would happily rent a small unit if it were in a prominent position like that, with lots of passing trade and a reasonable rent, and I’m confident that others would too.

Hiring a table at craft fayres can cost anything from £5 at school fetes to £60 at the bigger shows, and that is just totally beyond us.

I hope people at the council read these letters and genuinely consider them – Kestrel FM had a discussion a few weeks ago on the subject, but I believe the general response from the council was they would rather the shops remain empty, waiting for a permanent retailer than a market-style store like this one.

This, in my view, is nonsense. A lot of people still shop at that end of town. I hope it is given serious consideration.

–Helen Smith, Sheppard Road, Basingstoke.

Sir.–After reading your letter from Karen Newman, with regards to turning the old Woolies into an indoor market, I feel this would be an outstanding decison.

As a small business in Basingstoke, I know how hard it is to jump from a market into a huge shop. Having small flexiable units within a great award-winning shopping centre would really help the young budding businessmen and woman of Basingstoke.

Well done Karen and come on Basingstoke council – do something for the people!

–Riccardo Zappia, Out of Afrika UK Ltd, Basingstoke.

Sir.–I have just read the letter from Karen Newman and I think her idea of an indoor market is splendid.

I have been to a few towns with indoor markets. I often think of the friendly stallholders we used to have at the market at the bot-tom end of town.

–Frances Hughes, Clarke Estate, Basingstoke.

Sir.–I have to say I totally agree with Karen Newman, of Abbey Road, that it would be a fantastic idea to turn this site into an “indoor market”.

As she says, it would give small businesses a chance.

Rents in newly-developed centres become totally unrealistic to these small possibly one-off type businesses.

Come on council, give the little ones a break – make Basingstoke “different” to all other redeveloped towns in the south.

–Shellan Nicholson, Chesterfield Road, Basingstoke.

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