Market experts appointed
Lancaster Market (photo: Steve Pendrill)
Lancaster City Council has appointed market experts NCS to produce an indepth report on the future of Lancaster Market.
NCS were appointed following a meeting of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group.
The company is the consultancy arm of the national Association of British Market Authorities which supports local authority operated markets throughout the country. NCS was chosen due to its track record in carrying out market reviews, recent examples of which include work for Glasgow, St Edmundsbury and Southwark councils.
The work will be lead by Krys Zasada, formerly Head of Manchester Markets but more recently appointed to the Government Task force on increasing the production and consumption of fruit and vegetables in England. He is also a member of the recently formed government Working Group on Retail Markets and a member of the Board of London Food overseeing the implementation of the Mayor’s Food Strategy.
Areas NCS will to cover in their report include:
* The viability of providing a predominantly (specialist) food retail market, in the context of Lancaster’s developing role as a heritage city
* Whether the current structure and layout of the market is fit for purpose and to identify any changes, that might be necessary
* What appropriate lease arrangements should be in place between the council and the market traders, including the viability of a tenants’ charter
* Advise to what extent, if any, other complementary, non-physical works are required, e.g. marketing, to ensure a viable market.
* Advise how the indoor and charter markets can be linked
The final report should be ready by December.
Coun Jon Barry, chair of the Lancaster Market Cabinet Liaison Group, said: "I am delighted with the level of expertise that NCS will bring to rejuvenating Lancaster Market. I am very much looking forward to their conclusions and on moving the market forward. These are exciting times for the market."
A spokesperson for NCS said: “Nabma is delighted to work with Lancaster City Council and welcome the opportunity to help support the market and ensure its long term future and sustainability."
For more information on markets in Lancaster and Morecambe, please see our main Markets page.
Date Updated: 01/10/10