County councillor Sandy Walkington told the Herts Ad: After some initial hiccups, the initial feedback from this forced experiment is hugely encouraging. There is a tremendous opportunity here. But all the stakeholders - including the Cathedral, St Albans School and residents and businesses impacted by displaced traffic - must feel comfortable that they have been heard.’
Local organisations like St Albans Civic Society, and neighbourhood groups Abbey Precincts Residents Association and Fishpool Street Residents Association have surveyed their members about the closures to find out whether they wanted them to become permanent.
In 89 responses received from APRA members, the most popular option was for George Street to remain pedestrianised, and High Street to be closed to all but designated traffic, including buses, taxis and delivery vehicles at specified times.
St Albans Charter Market has had to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic.
- Credit: Archant
Fierce debate continues to rage over plans to replace stalls with gazebos at St Albans Charter Market - part of a concerted bid to ensure it makes a profit for the first time in a decade.
The market has accumulated more than £600,000 in losses in the last five years, with the bulk of costs blamed on the existing market stalls according to the Lib Dem-controlled district council.
Market profits have been in decline for many years. In 2013-14 the combined income of the twice-weekly Charter Market and loss-making monthly Farmers Market was 36 per cent lower than 2012-13 and 46 per cent lower than 2011-12.
Mandy responded: That’s because St Albans district is the complete package, we have so much to offer with assets including the Cathedral, our museums and markets, which will continue to attract footfall, once normal trading conditions return as they did when we reopened after the first lockdown in 2020. Several market traders told me that over the summer and autumn they were seeing an increase in both footfall and spend from residents who normally commuted to London but were now delighted to be able to spend their money locally.
Dave Worcester of The Lower Red Lion is optimistic: Residents who have been stuck at home have money they are itching to spend, and there will be plenty of places to spend that money when businesses can reopen, including our much-loved pubs.”
How the Charter Market might look in the future by Sarah Gillow.
- Credit: SADC
Stalls at St Albans historic Charter Market could be replaced with gazebos as part of a major revamp.
Artists impressions of how the market could change have now been released as part of a public consultation.
Traders, shops on St Peter s Street, residents and other local businesses and organisations are being urged to have their say.
The district council, which runs the market. says the scheme will give the market a modern, dynamic appearance, help with its post-Covid recovery, and avoid the need for the diesel-powered mini-tractors used to transport the old stalls.
Essential businesses are being urged to enforce government restrictions and help stop the spread of coronavirus in the district.
St Albans BID (Business.