Improvements announced as third of Stafford Indoor Market stalls empty
More than a third of the stalls are standing empty at Stafford Indoor Market - but a raft of fresh improvements have been put in place to increase footfall and boost trade, it emerged today.
Latest figures show there is an occupancy rate of 63 per cent at the market - meaning 37 per cent of the stalls are not being used.
Bosses at Stafford Borough Council, which own the facility, say they have a plan in place to improve the situation.
They include the refurbishment of the Broad Street entrance into the market, the introduction of temporary pop-up stalls and installing a footfall counting system.
They also want to make improvements to individual stalls and to get the market more involved in community events such as the Cheese and Ale Festival in Stafford in 2015.
It has also emerged that £25,329 is still owed to the market in rent arrears by stallholders.
That figure has come down from £47,204 in April 2014.
In a report to Stafford Borough Council by head of planning and regeneration, Robert Gatensbury, he says: "During the course of 2014/15 a number of improvements have been made with the introduction of free Wi-Fi for improving the appearance of vacant stalls, additional advertising and promotion, new finger post signs across the town centre which include the market and greater use of social media to provide information on the market.
"The market management have worked with traders to reduce rent arrears from £47,204 in April 2014 to £25,329 in January 2015.
"Dealing with the rent arrears along with challenging trading conditions has resulted in a fluctuating occupancy rate which was 63 per cent in January 2015."
The indoor market in Earl Street is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Stalls sell everything from wrapping paper to cards, antiques, jewellery, beauty products, household goods, wool and fabrics and clothing.
It can be accessed from the Guildhall Shopping Centre, Chapel Street and Broad Street.
The market celebrated its 25th anniversary last year and a new market manager was appointed in April last year.
