Have Your Say - Thetford Market Place Consultation Chris Wallis, Resident: “The Market Place provides convenient parking for shoppers, businesses, visitors and those using nearby pubs and takeaways throughout the day, evenings and weekends. We already have underused public spaces in King Street Square and The Green. Let's fully use those facilities instead of closing the car park, wasting money, and inconveniencing people.” Magda Teixeira, Business Owner: “I’d love to have something more permanent, entertainment wise, the town needs to bring in people all the time. In Portugal we do this all the time, we have coffee shops, pubs, maybe a fountain with a children’s play area so parents can eat, drink, and watch their children play. Otherwise, when something is happening, close it and leave it as a car park if not”. Vince Gregory, Resident: “The Guildhall Market Place car park has been successfully used by the market for many years. The same management strategy that allows a Market to operate there can be applied for its use as an occasional venue too. Why stop its use as a free car park?”. Councillor Jane James: “This process started over 5 years ago and things have changed so I felt that people should have the opportunity to reflect on the market place’s usage. My personal view is that I want it to be used in a way that has an impact on and is appreciated by the residents of Thetford. It’s an amazing opportunity to have a space that can be used for more than just a parking area.” Councillor Stuart Wright: “I am supporting the use of the Market Place as a traffic free area so that the space can be reclaimed by pedestrians, allow activities to take place in addition to market days and improve the ambience of the area for users of businesses, including the newly refurbished Guildhall.” Jade Bowles, Business Owner: “I’m very torn, getting rid of the car park would help the town flourish, but you will lose the car park spaces. Having parking spaces outside my business is great, but I do think the space should be used for more markets and events to bring people in. I think there needs to be more than 2 regular things each week on top of the market to make the best use of the space.”
Consultation Closes 11th February 2022...
Thetford Town Council are asking residents for their views on the future use of the Market Place. Following a successful Heritage Lottery bid, the Guildhall has been refurbished including improved access from the Market Place. In 2018 a smale scale public consultation indicated that there was a desire to make the Market Place a communal public area to be used for events and other community activities along with the weekly markets. Thetford Town Council are now consulting on whether they should permanantly close the existing car park or not.
The council are asking residents and business owners to choose from three options: •
A car park
•
A mix of both, with partial pedestrianisation and only disabled parking remaining
•
Pedestrianised and used as a central hub for Town events
The consultation paper can collected from Thetford Town Council’s main main office at The Carnegie or the Guildhall Tea Room. It is also available on the Thetford Town Council website: www.thetfordtowncouncil.gov.uk
Please mention the About Thetford Magazine when responding to advertisements 6
