'WE WILL FILL THEM': Half of Sutton's indoor market stalls stand empty

But despite only 16 of the 33 stalls in Sutton’s Idlewells Indoor Market being occupied, traders have said their businesses have ‘grown’ since the million pound investment. In one instance, two stalls have even been combined into one - meaning that 15 traders currently operate out of the market, one of which is there temparally. The improvements started in February last year. They successfully got rid of an asbestos problem and also saw a complete redesign, reconfigured the layout, improved accessibility and added more natural lighting - with a skylight to the market off Market Street.The market has been open fully since December but some stall holders have just recently moved into their chosen stall. And traders have said they are enjoying the market’s new look. Samantha Scothon, who helps her mum, Lynn Shaw, run Geoff Webster Bakery said: “We began in this market with a small stall about 15 years ago and the business has just grown and grown. “The builders worked around us and they have done a brilliant job. We are now taking more than we ever were before the transformation.”Along with other traders, newcomers Munchies and More, run by Dale Breedon, are looking forward to the future of Idlewells. Dale said: “I’m very hopeful for the future of the market. Once more stalls are taken and the public realises that the market is flourishing once again, things will improve even more.”Theresa Hodgkinson Corporate manager at Ashfield District Council and Councillor Cheryl Butler leader of the council have now vowed to fill the market to 75 per cent capacity by the end of this financial year, March 2019. Theresa Hodgkinson has said a ‘few traders’ have retired while the renovations were underway, including the pet stall. Before the renovation, the market was at 30 per cent capacity. She said; “Traders have only really just got into their full trading positions. We’re now holding a full campaign to look for traders going forward.“Existing traders are starting to see a bigger footfall in business and we are getting a lot more disabled users coming through since the access from Market Street opened.” The campaign ‘Come Trade with us’ hopes to encourage new businesses to try the market out. The campaign is looking to be held to invite traders in for special events. Grants up to £1,500 are also still available for stall or possible stall holders for rent reductions or support to get things up and running, which the council has said been “really successful.”Theresa Hodgkinson has also said the price stallholders pay are “all different now” sincve the renovation.She said: “New stalls are not like-for-like in size as the old stalls stores, it’s very hard to compare. Before, they were all sets stalls of nearly the same size, but they are all different now.”While the renovation was underway some stallholders, including Material Girl and Fruitarian, have chosen to move into the Idlewells precinct. Theresa Hodgkinson said: “Market stalls are a start-up buisness. Some have moved out and we supported them through that. We don’t see it as competition.” Coun Butler said: “Before the renovation, the market was crying out for change. This administration made a decision and made it happen. “To anyone who might have another stall at another market, why not open one here?”If you would like to set up shop at the market contact the Markets Team on 01623 551 385 or by email at [email protected].

What’s next for outdoor markets?

Sutton Outdoor Market is currently being reviewed by the district council. Theresa Hodgkinson said: “The market is currently very ‘secondhand bric-a-brac’, which is a specialist market. “The council is looking into potentially having markets on different days.”“For example, Kirkby outdoor market does well on Fridays.”

A place to eat

Tony’s cafe has always been a part of the indoor market, but the council is trying to reach out an bring other stalls selling food into the centre of the market, which they are calling the ‘food quarter’. With temporary stalls like Da Yabba Pot, which has moved on to outdoor markets, and The Cookie Shop, the council are trying to bring in small stall holders who sell something different. Theresa Hodgkinson said: “We are working with two companies closely at the moment to secure them and move them into stalls, I think that will be the thing that kick starts the food quarter of the indoor market.“We need to make sure the traders compliment each other.”

Students can help

The council is working with Sutton Community Academy and Ashfield School to bring in students and give them the chance to set up their own stalls. Theresa Hodgkinson said: “It’s not necessarily about getting them there to eat, but getting them to maybe take up a stall and get them to test the trade on a temporary basis. If you have an idea, come and test it in here.”