Dorchester's Wednesday market should stay in Fairfield and be encouraged to thrive

Councillors on the Markets Panel have called for an end to speculation about the future of the Fairfield as the market site – caused by the district council identifying the area for a future shopping development.

Despite profits falling year on year councillors said the market was important for the town's sense of community.

But calls were also made at the Wednesday evening meeting for more money to be invested at Fairfield and for the market operators, Ensors, to try and attract new traders, preferably those with something more unique to offer.

Cllr Molly Rennie called for the Royal Charter to be returned to the town council so that it could run the market with the company when the district council ceases to exist in April next year.

“We aren't bothered about income, we like the vibrancy of having a market in the town, but we need to be realistic... People like the plants and veg' stalls but we also want to see something different.

“It's the town's market and we want the market to continue to bring people into the town. It's about community, that's what we want.”

Cllr Nigel Bundy said that he doubted if Fairfield would ever be needed for extra shopping in Dorchester. He said all the reports showed a decline in High Street trading and Dorchester town centre currently has 30 or more empty properties.

He said that the Fairfield site had been put on the 'reserve list' for a shopping development in the latest review of the Local Plan which guides development in the area.

“Even if that goes through it won't get adopted until 2020, and even then if the Fairfield were considered for shopping it would need a viability study...and how long would all that take?

“I don't think we will ever build on Fairfield because it's not sensible.”

He called for more investment in the market: “Let's respect the past and take the market into the future, let's start to make some decisions and take this market forward and give it what Dorchester wants and needs” he said.

His views were echoed by Dorchester Mayor Cllr David Taylor: “Stability is what is needed...we shouldn't start to move things around or we could lose it. We should work collaboratively and make sure it succeeds.”

Market operators John and Brendon George said that markets across the country were in trouble and many had closed with traders dropping out because they could not make a living out of it.

Brendon George said that the start of the year at Dorchester had been difficult, mainly because of the weather, but the last six weeks had seen strong trade.

“There's no magic wand. We're just trying to keep what we have got here.

“The locals like it and the visitors like it but the market does need some investment to bring it up to standard.”

Markets Panel chairman Cllr Mary Penfold said: “The traders need reassurance. We have no intention of not having a market.”

Cllr Janet Hewitt said: “We don't want it moved. If we invest in the right places and traders offer the right goods, people will come.”

Council development director Martin Hamilton said the recent survey had identified that the market needed to offer a wider range of stalls. He said there was also a clear steer from councillors that it was not about “sweating more income from the site” but ensuring that the market was a vibrant and interesting place to visit.

He said the discussion about whether or not the market was likely to be transferred to the town council was expected at a district council meeting in mid-July.