This article originally appeared in the Hunts Post on 17th July, 2022.
Huntingdon is a market town, but our market isn’t working as the centre of community life that it could be.
We know that markets in Huntingdon can be successful – the vegan market run by Huntingdon First and the Christmas market run by the Town Council bring in loads of people and make the High Street a bustling place.
Why do those do so well?
High streets and markets are changing. They’re not where most people are going for the daily or weekly shop – whether we like it or not Amazon exists. What will bring people into town isn’t shopping like it used to be – it’s experiences and entertainment. We need to build on the fantastic regular traders that we already have at the market.
So, to break out of the vicious circle of low footfall causing low attendance causing low footfall, we need to relaunch of the market. That should start with a big bang that attracts both traders and shoppers – and a real push in traditional and social media to let people know that there is a big change to the market and that it’s going to be continuing, and it should tie into Huntingdon First’s Discover Huntingdon campaign.
To keep it going, we need regular attractions to bring people in. St Neots Town Council have done this really well with their Market Marvels events. We could do something similar – like Dino Day and the Eco Fair.
My own view is that Huntingdon Town Council could eventually run the market, either by being transferred the charter or leasing it for a peppercorn rent. It’ll always be more important to Huntingdon than to Huntingdonshire, and would be about placemaking based on knowing what local people want. It would also simplify the organisation and just be plain sensible that the town runs the town market.
Either way, traders, Huntingdon First, the Town Council, and the District Council need a joint plan of action for the market – to make it what it could be, and then keep it there. There is, of course, lots more to it than that, but I do believe the basic idea of a big relaunch followed by regular events would bring in the footfall that brings in the traders that bring in the footfall.
More than anything, though, if we want the market to succeed, we need to use it. Come down this Saturday and see what’s on at the market!