Business leaders in Holbeach see revitalising its twice-weekly market as the first step towards improving the town’s fortunes, according to a new survey.
The results of the survey carried out by Holbeach Business Forum put improving the High Street market by encouraging new traders to set up stalls top of the list of ideas to breathe life into the town.
At a recent forum meeting, representatives from Holbeach’s business community were joined by market traders in discussing the survey conducted in partnership with Spalding and District Area Chamber of Commerce.
The forum intends to work on its plans for the market over the next three months after talks with South Holland District Council and existing market traders.
Other ideas from the survey included promoting free two-hour parking at Carter’s Park and working with management from Tesco in Holbeach to encourage more shoppers into the town centre.
David Hudson, chairman of Holbeach Business Forum, said: “The town offers some excellent products and services already and these need to be emphasised more clearly and highlighted.
“However, the forum needs to work towards the basic structure of Holbeach and reinstall some local pride.
“Like many small rural towns in Lincolnshire, Holbeach is historically known as a market town and this has to be its unique selling point.
“Therefore, the forum decided that it would concentrate initially on one area and has set the first objective as Improvements to Holbeach Market.”
When the survey was launched last month, traders were invited to name their top five ideas for boosting Holbeach’s economy.
Better signage, CCTV and marketing of Holbeach were among the ideas initially put forward, but Mr Hudson said improving the market was an “achievable and realistic objective” within the next three months.
He added: “An improvement to Holbeach Market on the traditional market days of Thursday and Saturday should restore local confidence and offer more variety on the High Street.
“A broad selection of products and services should attract custom from local and neighbouring areas, especially if quality specialist items can be made available.”