Traders at Hailsham Street Market, which operates in Vicarage Field every Saturday, will now receive free market pitches until March 2021.
Hailsham Town Council’s Communities Committee has announced at a meeting held on 5 October that market fees in Hailsham will be waived with immediate effect until next March as part of its commitment to support the town centre and its businesses.
The support will save valuable money for traders who are already impacted by a change in footfall levels since the easing of lockdown, whilst also providing a low-risk opportunity for other and potential new traders to consider offering their wares for the first time.
“We are proud and delighted to be offering free pitch hire for all Hailsham Street Market traders for the next six months,” said Deputy Town Clerk & Business Enterprise Manager, Mickey Caira. “This, I believe, demonstrates our commitment to supporting the town’s market traders whilst also aiming to encourage other businesses and individuals to give market trading a try, as our town centre continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic.”
Mr Caira added: “Safety continues to be of importance, so all market stalls are COVID-secure and signs are in place on-site reminding people to continue social distancing and to follow the latest Government guidance. Advice on how to shop safely at the market is also available but I urge residents and visitors to also do their part to keep each other safe.”
“Since reopening in July, there has been a limited number of stalls trading at the market but, now that we have waived pitch fees until next spring, we hope to see an increase in the number of traders. Undeniably, economic recovery and growth will be a significant challenge for all businesses, but they will continue to be backed by us every step of the way.”
Councillor Nigel Coltman, vice chairman of the Communities Committee, commented: “The waiving of pitch hire fees at Hailsham Street Market is an integral part of our plans for Hailsham town centre, and I would encourage anyone who’s always considered trading at the market to grasp this opportunity and be part of the local market trader community and diverse retail offer to our shoppers.”
”We know the COVID-19 pandemic is causing major concern for many small businesses including the Town Council’s street market traders, so we hope that the measures introduced at the Communities Committee meeting will provide them with some reassurance.”
Eligible traders can continue to operate at the market, but this will be kept under review, should the situation change regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and potential changes to restrictions.
For more information and market trader application forms, please telephone 01323 841702 or send an email to enquiries@hailsham-tc.gov.uk.
Terry Hall, Communications Officer
Hailsham Town Council, Market Street, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2AE
Telephone: 01323 841702 | Email: terry.hall@hailsham-tc.gov.uk