A WARMER shopping environment and a regular farmers’ market were among the suggestions from the Tiverton public about ways of boosting trade at the town’s Pannier Market.

Street surveys were carried out earlier this year, where users and non-users were asked for their views on the market and possible improvements.

The results were revealed by Mid Devon District Council last week at the same time as a Government-commissioned report on retail was published by TV presenter Mary Portas.

Among the recommendations was the establishment of a ‘National Market Day’ where people can try their hand at operating a low-cost retail business.

It was also suggested that it should be made easier for people to become market traders by removing unnecessary regulations and allowing them to have stalls on the high street.

The council said the majority of people told them they were happy with the market overall, but there were some suggestions for improving it:

People said the type of stalls they would like to see included clothing for young people, more variety of food stalls, arts and crafts including haberdashery; there was a need for a dedicated farmers market; the atmosphere and the layout of the stalls was commented upon, with more heating required in the winter.

It was also felt that the backs of stalls presented an unattractive sight and there were parking issues with limited available spaces in the market car park . The cost of parking was also thought to be a drawback.

Those that identified themselves as non-users of the market told researchers the lack of advertising meant they were unaware what was on offer at the market and when.

The results will help inform an action plan for improvements to the market to increase footfall.

Councillor Richard Chesterton, cabinet member for economic regeneration, said he welcomed a number of the findings within the report by Ms Portas.

He said the concept of town teams; which would help guide the development of high streets was an “interesting idea”.

“If you look at the work Mid Devon has done to support the strengthening of the Tiverton Traders group, it is not exactly the same but there is a similar ethos behind what we have already been doing,” he said.

He said the idea of a national ‘market day’ seemed a good idea, although he cautioned that a “balance had to be struck so that the day would not be to the detriment of non-market traders in the town but would act as a way of encouraging people into the town centre as a whole.”

The January meeting of the council’s cabinet will discuss an action plan looking at the future plans for the Pannier Market.

The council wishes to thank everyone that stopped and gave their views as part of the survey.