ONGAR: Support for market revival idea (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

ONGAR: Support for market revival idea

10:15am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Epping Forest News By Clare Hardy

CALLS to revive a town’s weekly market have been welcomed by shopkeepers.

The Ongar Town Forum has suggested that the Wednesday market, which is currently held near the library, could be moved to a more prominent place in the High Street or expanded in its current spot.

The forum’s vice chairman Geoff Tuck, said: “It became apparent to me while putting up the Christmas lights last year how many new shopkeepers we have trying to make a go of things in Ongar and how poor the footfall is.

“Coupling that with (Government town centre guru) Mary Portas’ comments that the high streets should try and do more, maybe we should look at the possibilities.”

A small market already takes place in the car park of the town’s library, but Mr Tuck said this could be moved somewhere such as the High Street parking bays or expanded in its present spot.

Faye Hewitt, 40, owner of Balloonatics in the High Street, said: “I’m an Epping girl originally and the Monday market always used to bring trade to the shops.

“People would look around and see what a lovely town we have.”

But she said there was not much space in the High Street parking bays for market stalls.

Delyth Armes, 58, who runs Senners newsagents, also in the High Street, said: “It’s a brilliant idea and hopefully we might get a few more people and a few more stalls.

“I’m sure it would be a success, because it used to do well when it first started.”

Epping currently has a well-established market, which shopkeeper Sally Jones, 47, of Lanes clothing shop in the High Street, said pulled shoppers in.

“There are people who only come into our shop on a Monday and no other day because they only come to Epping for the market,” she added.

“I know we have people who come up for the market from as far as Chingford and Highams Park.”

The Ongar Town Forum is due to discuss the idea further at a meeting with businesses on Monday (February 13).

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