Melton Borough Council invests in its Town Centre

Melton Borough Council as part of the UK Shared Prosperity fund has allocated funding to initiatives that aim to boost and support Melton Mowbray Town Centre. A total sum of around £140,000 across three projects has been awarded to both the Melton Mowbray Town Estate and Melton BID, who operate within the town centre and work with both local businesses and market traders. 

Using funding allocated from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, as part the approved Investment Plan, Melton Borough Council awarded £18,125 to The Melton Mowbray Town Estate (MMTE) to commission an appraisal of the Town Centre market to plan for its future and how to help it grow. This appraisal included an online survey of residents that got over 500 responses and a survey of 115 businesses in the town centre, including 25 market traders. 

The results showed that there are several ways to improve the market. Key areas to focus on include how people arrive, the layout, customer facilities, signs, and stall canopies. It highlighted the need for improved planning in relation to the types of products and quality offered in the market to attract high-quality traders. The goal is to bring in more vendors that will appeal to families with children, younger adults, and those looking for more upscale products. Businesses want to have more markets and special events, like a Christmas Market and food markets with street food, fresh produce, and international foods. Suggestions included filling empty shops, promoting the area more, increasing events held, and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour. 

To support the market appraisal, further funding was allocated in the Investment Plan, with a further £60,000 to support initiatives that will help implement the recommendations. Planned enhancements include a new electrical substation, updated signage, and replacement stalls to include gazebo covers equipped with lighting. 

Graham Bett, Chair of Melton Mowbray Town Estate stated that:  “We are planning on visitors to our May Day Festival in the Market Place on Saturday 3 May being the first to see our attractive, bright new market stall canopies. The Town Market is facing many pressures and needs to adapt to changing needs while keeping the traditions of a market town alive.  While we know much more needs to be done, this investment is very welcome.” 

Vacant shops account for around 10.6% of the available properties in the designated BID area. To tackle this issue, Melton Borough Council has allocated £20,000 to Melton BID to support programs and activity that will bring these vacant properties back into use. This builds upon the creative collective projects that have been running in the town over the last 18 months and hopes to build on the successes this has achieved to date. 

James Colclough, Manager of Melton BID said: “Melton BID are pleased to have been allocated funding to help with our mission of improving the vitality of the Melton BID area and filling the vacant units.  Projects will include the removal of old signage, better promotion, tools for new startup businesses and encouraging new pop-up ventures.  In addition, our focus is to help existing BID businesses grow into bigger units and allow our business community to prosper”

The seating arrangements around the Market Square was also highlighted within the review. Melton Borough Council has purchased 4 planter benches and 8 planters for the Market Square, aimed at enhancing and greening the area. The Town Estate will handle the maintenance and planting in these spaces.