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Swindon Council should sort out the town centre market quickly says cafe owner
An award-winning café owner is backing moves to bring street markets back to the town centre – and says Swindon Borough Council should do it
sooner rather than later, writes Graham Carter.
Barry Cook, who runs Cafelicious Barry, who lives in Taw Hill, said
in the Brunel Centre with his wife the council should consider other
Mandy, scooped a Beverage Standards ways of boosting trade in the town
Association award last year for its hot centre, including free parking. “I think
chocolate, and an overall accredita- they could look at bringing in free
tion of ‘outstanding’. parking on Sundays at least. When
He says he is frustrated by council they experimented with it before, it
policies that outlawed street traders gave us a huge boost – so much so that
in Swindon at a time when other local when the scheme stopped, we initially
authorities were looking for ways to saw trade halve overnight.”
encourage shoppers into high streets. While the debate goes on over
Shopping ‘guru’ Mary Portas markets in general and the Christmas
reported to the government in De- market in particular, and with coun-
cember 2011 on the need to encour- cillors turning it into a party political
age independent street traders and issue, Barry fears the council isn’t
markets. Barry, right, believes it is injecting the necessary urgency into
time for Swindon to take her chal- finding a solution that suits traders
lenge seriously. and shoppers alike.
“There is no doubt proper markets other town centre traders would have posal which Christmas market traders “The consultation is taking too
create a buzz,” he said. “We saw it when as well. But from a shoppers’ perspec- support, it may not take place for a long,” he said. “I think it’s fair to say
there was a food market in Havelock tive too, I’m sure it’s the best thing second year. Swindon Council never does any-
Square for six weeks in September that could have happened. “I’m sure if it’s done properly – and thing quickly.”
and October. “Not only that – almost all of it this goes for any street trading – it Rebecca Rowland, manager of
“It created a hustle and bustle, but was local produce. To me that’s what complements the town,” said Barry. InSwindon town centre management
unfortunately the powers that be de- it’s all about.” “An interesting and attractive market company, said the council’s licensing
cided it wasn’t suitable. Yet our trade He is also in favour of Christmas will draw people to the town centre, committee is considering options
was up by ten to 15 per cent. markets. Yet, with under six months but sadly small businesses don’t always and she hopes to know in August if
“From a selfish standpoint, Cafeli- to go, unless the council’s licencing get support from the council. We need a Christmas market will be permitted
cious certainly benefited, and lots of committee can come up with a pro- to be backed up.” in Canal Walk.

8 swindonlink.com • August 2013

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