The Market Place in Newark is rich in history and well loved by everyone, but as with every marketplace and high street across the country, footfall is down and times are challenging. The District Council and our partners remain committed to doing what we can to help.
In recent years, the District Council has been working with local people and groups developing a Masterplan for Newark Town Centre which outlines possible future changes and improvements for the town. The Masterplan was developed following a consultation process with local businesses, local residents and community organisations. One of the areas considered as part of the Masterplan was Newark Market Place and possible ways to improve it.
The Masterplan ideas for Newark Market Place were shaped by more than 1,500 responses to the consultation exercises. Some of the feedback from the consultation included wanting a Market Place that is:
- more accessible and flexible,
- being capable of hosting events, markets, and al fresco dining, and
- able to meet a desire for seating and greening within the space.
To help achieve this vision, Newark Town Board allocated £3.61m funding from the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, (previously known as the Towns Deal programme). Newark and Sherwood District Council were asked by Newark Town Council to deliver the project on their behalf.
Plans for the scheme were initially designed and developed, including obtaining cost estimates however, it became clear that the proposed improvements could not be delivered in full, within the available budget.
Therefore, together with Newark Town Council, the District Council has been reviewing alternative options and have approval from the Newark Town Board to deliver an alternative scheme, funded through the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund grant. This revised scheme will be taken for approval to the District Council’s Cabinet next Tuesday.
The revised proposals still focus on what residents have asked for, including:
- improved power supplies for markets and events,
- enhanced lighting to improve security, atmosphere, and event activity,
- CCTV enhancements,
- al fresco pavement improvements and,
- new market and pop-up stalls.
Around £200,000 has been spent on design work, surveys, engineering assessments, archaeological investigations, feasibility work and architects to get to this point. This is a necessary, and important, part of developing any major public project. In fact, it would be irresponsible to not do the appropriate preparatory work.
Councillor Paul Peacock, Leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council, said:
I am delighted that Newark Town Board have agreed to move forward with the scheme which will be going to Cabinet for approval next week. Whilst the District Council doesn’t own the majority of the town or set things like rents or business rates it is committed, alongside our partners, to doing all we can to invest in our high streets and listen to what matters to our residents when shaping those plans. The work we have done to date has meant that the revised proposals does just that. It means that proposals are informed by public opinion and backed by professional and accurate costs and designs.
“Despite some reports, the work completed so far on this project is not a waste. It has given us a clearer picture of the challenges of the original proposals and showed that the available budget would not have been enough to deliver the project as it was planned. This work helps to make sure that a project is affordable, before any work commences. There is nothing to stop further improvements or bids for more grant funding at a later date.
“The road around the Market Place, including areas of existing ‘cobbles’, will now not form part of the scheme and this is something that residents felt very passionate about too. This road is within the ownership of Nottinghamshire County Council, who will be asked what else it can now do to make much needed improvements and repairs as the relevant highway authority.
Newark Town Board have confirmed that a portion of the underspend from the revised proposals for the Market Place project, through funding from the governments Local Regeneration Fund programme, will be reallocated to support the completion of the Newark Castle Gatehouse Project. The government has been clear that the Local Regeneration Fund should prioritise original Towns Deal projects already underway for the benefit of the local residents. Reallocating the funding in this way means the money can continue to be invested in Newark and support an existing regeneration project through to completion. If the funding is not spent within the necessary timescales, it may otherwise be returned to the UK Government.
Costs associated with the funding for the Newark Castle Gatehouse Project are commercially sensitive and confidential due to contractor procurement and tendering.
If approved by the District Council’s Cabinet, it is the intention of the District and Town Council to progress with the Market Place improvement scheme, which will mean securing a contractor to build it out in the New Year. Affected traders will be engaged in this process.
In the last five years, the District Council has been committed to doing the very best for Newark and has successfully delivered and supported various projects to bring investment to the town. Key projects have included the Air and Space Institute, Newark Construction College, YMCA Community & Activity Village, the Newark Castle Gatehouse Project, Newark Buttermarket, 32 Stodman Street, free town centre events like the beach and Knife Angel. and completion of the Newark Southern Link Road. There is still more to come as part of the Pride in Place Programme (PiPP), which has secured Government commitment to additional investment of £19.5m over the next decade.
