Charter Market
Our market acquired its Charter in 1553 but a market had been operating in the City since at least 860AD. It is an important part of our heritage. It brings people into the City and it is so sad to see it in its current poor state. Covid restrictions meant lower numbers and stall holders provided their own gazebos or stalls but why no progress since then?
After an uncomfortable period in 2021, when a permanent move to gazebos was proposed, the Council decided in February 2022 to run a pilot with a mixture of gazebos and stalls, all in the City colours. A competition was announced to appoint an external provider to run the market. Following the press release on 3 February a further announcement was made in June that the new hybrid market would open on 7 September 2022.
The market as it was
Astonishingly the invitations to tender were not issued until September –meaning the 7 September opening was impossible, though we were not told. We now know that the disappointing outcome of that exercise is that no tenders were considered suitable, so back to Square One.
The Council then decided to run the market themselves and have about 35 gazebos in St Albans colours which they plan to roll out to existing stall holders with a review in June 2023 to consider whether funds are available to buy the promised stalls. And, if so, will then need to arrange erection and dismantling. There is no sign of that happening and the market continues to struggle with frequent gaps between the stalls and inconsistent and haphazard layout.
This is so disappointing – not just the delays and the failures but also the absence of communication to let people know what is happening, especially when the news is not good. So much time has been lost. The hybrid market promised in February 2022 will not happen for a long time, if ever and in the meantime the market continues to decline.
A huge effort will be needed to increase the number of stalls to anything like the pre-Covid numbers. There is little evidence that this is happening and the concern is that our Charter market continues to decline?
The market as it is 2023
A number of members and others have expressed concerns and worries about the future of the Charter Market. Some of the matters raised are:
- Concern that there is a plan to downgrade or do away with the Charter Market in favour of other markets and other activities. Purported plans for an indoor market is feared to compromise the Charter Market
- That stall holders have been asked to sign contracts with onerous and unreasonable terms
- Plans for expanded Al Fresco dining will affect the viability of the Charter Market as there will be less space for stalls
- Possible proposals for events in St Peter’s St on Wednesday and Saturday evenings will compromise the market as they will have to pack up early to allow for this preparation.
- Concern that the current “Rag Bag” of gazebos looks unattractive and uncoordinated and absence of clarity over what the longer-term plan is and what scope there is for consultation with market stall holders and residents.
- A fear that the driving force for change is the development of the Drovers Way site for commercial gain with the market as an accepted casualty of that.
It is undeniable that the market is looking rather sad with some of the fruit and vegetable stalls no longer there and other traders questioning if it is worth the cost and hassle of providing and erecting their own stall. The Society believes the existence the Charter Market must be supported and encouraged to thrive both as a service to residents as well as being an attraction for visitors.
September 2021