COUNCILLORS want to attract more street traders to the centre of Wellington, although there was concern they did not want to upset established businesses.
The town council’s economic development committee discussed raising income through street trading permits for stallholders and food vans to set up shop on pavement space such as on the corner of Fore Street and South Street and in High Street outside the old Post Office.
Trading would be allowed twice a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9 am and 2.30 pm.
Councillors heard a street trading consent permission from Somerset Council would cost £531 for the year, but could be quickly recouped if they charged stallholders £45 for a pitch.
If there was a maximum of nine stalls twice a week, it would work out at £42,120 over the course of a year with the money going toward the costs of town centre projects such as hanging baskets, planting and maintenance of railings, troughs, planters, bus shelters, and notice boards.
Town council chief executive Dave Farrow told the committee: “We need to look at how we can make more income, with the money generated going toward town centre projects and ongoing maintenance.
“This is something the council needs to consider and it will help to promote the town centre.”
The town council’s facilities manager, Annette Kirk, said: “I have been told that the town is missing out on not having stalls in the town centre on a Saturday.”
Cllr Mike McGuffie said: “I think it is a good idea and we should trial it for a year and see what happens.
“But I am just a bit concerned about the competition this would bring for the actual shops in the town.”
Wellington Independent Markets run by Maxine Price and her daughter Charlotte Beatty already has a number of Saturday markets planned for this year, on April 19, June 7, September 20, and December 14.
Cllr Keith Wheatley said: “Will we be harmonising our charges with the street market run by Maxine and Charlotte?”
Cllr Steve Mercer said he was concerned about taking away trade from existing shops, although he was in favour of giving people ‘new experiences’ with different foods and drinks offered by visiting traders.
But Cllr Wheatley said that these days lots of places sold bread, as an example, and so he did not think a street trader offering loaves and buns would make a big difference to existing shops.
He said: “Competition is not a bad thing, but it is not a massive thing either.
“I think this is worth doing and could help promote the town.”
Councillors voted in favour of applying for a street trading consent permit with traders being invited to pitch up on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
They also proposed that community groups and charitable organisations wanting a stall would have to pay a £45 deposit to reserve a place, which would be refunded on attendance.
Final decisions will be made by members of the full town council next month.