Agenda item

Report DRR16/085

The Committee considered a report providing an update on the proposed public realm improvements to Bromley town centre and the potential reconfiguration and future management of the town centre market, and possible timescales for the delivery of these linked projects.

At its meeting on 2^nd December 2015, the Council’s Executive endorsed the concept designs for the next phase of the Bromley Town Centre Public Realm improvements which aimed to improve the quality of the high street experience and create distinctive spaces or squares, and approved funding for the detailed design phase.  The original scheme designers, Studio Egret West had subsequently worked with the Local Authority’s Highway Engineering term contractor, FM Conway to progress the detailed engineering design, provide full scheme costings and develop an implementation plan.  The detailed design of the ground plane had now been substantially completed and included a number of High Street Character areas comprising the Elmfield Arrival Space, High Street Garden Space, Churchill Square and Market Square, with structural features to include pavilion canopy structures and retail units, raised planters, pop-up market stalls and Market Square Kiosks.  In parallel, Officers had been assessing options for the future development of the street market in Bromley town centre.  The Local Authority had commissioned market specialist, Quarterbridge to undertake a review of the current street market which had made a number of recommendations including that the market be relocated to a more northerly position incorporating Market Square, that it be rebranded and refocused to appeal to a wider demographic, and that the number of stalls be limited to no more than 30 with a maximum of 15 stalls having a food and beverage offer. 

Indicative timescales for works relating to the two proposed projects had suggested that the works would take a total duration of twenty months to be completed by November 2018, and would have an overall total cost of £5m, including Elmfield junction reconstruction and relocation costs associated with the street market.

In response to a question from a Member, the Head of Renewal confirmed that the traders operating from Market Square Kiosks or units open for more than three days per week would be subject to business rates.  The new market arrangement would be of benefit to existing retail units as the stalls would be situated in a single line and would not channel customers away from the shops.  The relocation of the street market would be assisted by previous works in the Market Square area which had identified the location of utilities and during which a number of electrical supply points had been installed.  Members highlighted that the parking needs of traders should be recognised as part of the development of the scheme, and a Member suggested that it might be possible for a parking space in a local car park or parking zone to be allocated to each kiosk or stall for use by the trader.  It was noted that further information around the economic benefit of the market and the impact on existing shops and restaurants would be considered in a further report before a final decision was made.

In considering the trader application process for the kiosks and stalls, Members underlined the need to ensure that there was a balanced retail and food and beverage offer across Bromley town centre, and that existing retailers were not unfairly disadvantaged by the street market offer.  A Member noted the importance of ‘decluttering’ the pedestrian area and requested that information on the planning regulations for illuminated advertisement boards be provided to Members following the meeting.

RESOLVED that Members’ comments on the proposed Public Realm changes in Bromley Town Centre and the potential reconfiguration and future management of the Town Centre Market be noted.