David Rendel reports back on Market Location survey

9.16.04am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd Aug 2006

Results of a survey of central Newbury businesses about the best location for the market have been announced by the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary spokesperson, David Rendel.

"There has been growing talk in the town about how the temporary move of the market to Northbrook Street had been welcomed by many of the Market traders and their customers," said Mr Rendel. "We will be doing a survey later to find out just what the strength of feeling is amongst the traders and shoppers. But meanwhile we were well aware that the businesses in both the new and the old market locations might have a very different view.

"Our survey shows that overall business opinion is very evenly divided. A few responses are still coming in. But of the first 49 responses, 22 would like to see the market return to the Market Place, 26 would like the market to remain in Northbrook Street, and one (from the north end of Northbrook Street, beyond the market location) held no opinion.

"Not surprisingly the market is very popular. Of the businesses based in and around Northbrook Street, 72% wanted the market to remain there, while 28% wanted it to go back to the Market Place. In contrast, of the businesses based in and around the Market Place, 86% wanted the market to return there, while only 14% wanted it to remain in Northbrook Street."