All hopes pinned on the Victorian Market - the "jewel" in Inverness's crown
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A FRESH approach to managing Inverness’s Victorian Market is needed to guarantee a brighter future for the venue.
That’s the view of a report going to councillors next week on how the market should be developed.
Setting out a range of physical improvements that need to be made, including better shop frontages and signage, it also proposes the creation of “flexible space” to accommodate activities and events, and an “active approach” to attracting new tenants “deemed to be a good fit with the market’s aspirations”.
And it also calls for the appointment of a dedicated manager to promote the market externally, bring in new traders and events and focus on “transformational projects”.
Prepared by specialist regeneration consultancy Kevin Murray Associates and based on discussions with stakeholders including Highland Council, Inverness Business Improvement District (Bid) and Inverness Chamber of Commerce, as well as market traders, it is clear about the consequences of not adopting the plan.
“Without the guaranteed undertaking of these functions the opportunity to effect positive change for the market, its traders and customers, and importantly the Common Good Fund for whose benefit it is also run, will simply not be possible,” it states.
The market is managed by Highland Council on behalf of the Inverness Common Good Fund and the report is due to go before the City of Inverness Area Committee on Monday.
The report says the market should be a “valued and key asset” within the city centre with a “well-defined identity”.
It also suggests it could become a “location of choice” for high-profile Highland brands and a must-visit for locals and tourists.
Recognising a “definite” need to increase footfall and overall customer spending levels, the report says that, nevertheless there is “huge potential” for the market to play “a stronger, more distinctive role in the city’s wider offer”.
Many people have previously talked about how the market should be the “jewel in the crown” of the city retail offering, but has often felt overlooked and news of the new plan was broadly welcomed by market traders.
Peter Henderson, who owns the Milk Bar ice cream parlour and coffee shop, said change was long overdue and was particularly keen more should be done to promote wider knowledge about the quality of service that is already available at the market.
“I’ve been working in the coffee trade for nine years and really know my stuff, and then you have the likes of the jewellers in here who are all absolutely expert in their field,” he said.
“We have a butcher and a fishmonger who is among the very best in Inverness, but a lot of people don’t know that.
“We need to get the word out that the market has the kind of expert service that you just don’t get elsewhere.”
Mr Henderson also welcomed suggestions for the development of space to accommodate events.
“Why not have a car boot sale here on a Sunday or, when the vintage car show comes to town, why not have the market play its part in hosting that?” he asked.
“The farmers’ market could be based here, or a market for more artisan, unusual offerings.”
Another trader, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The main points in the action plan all sound good but are exactly the kind of thing we have been talking about for years.
“I just hope we see action this time. There is so much potential in the market that is just not being realised right now.”
* Tell us what changes you’d like to see at the Victorian Market, by emailing newsdesk@spp-group.com
