Calls to improve market in £250k revamp plan

Plans to spend £250,000 by a council on improving a public square have been met with a demand to spend some of the money on an indoor market.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council wants feedback on its proposal to create a better events space on South Wolfe Street in Stoke with the aim of increasing shoppers coming to the market.

The square has previously hosted a number of events and activities in the town including Feastival and the Stoke Town Square Saturday Series.

The plans include new paving to improve access along with new plants but some market stallholders want money spent on the market itself.

Kate Sale, from J&K Hardware, said the site was "in dire need" of money being spent on it.

"There's no disabled facilities, there's no baby change facilities. People aren't going to come if you haven't got the basic facilities," she said.

Shopper Karen Pearson said it seemed as if there were fewer and fewer stalls inside the market each time she visited.

"I saw the information board and I think if they actually do it, it'll look better but they should be encouraging going into the market," she said.

Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker said they wanted to hear as much feedback as possible on their plans.

""So, it is vital to hear residents' priorities for spending the money and to use these ideas to shape the final plan ready for work to start later this year," he added.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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