18 February 2016

Council Working on Plans to Establish CBD Market

Palmerston North City Council is continuing to work with stallholders on plans to establish a Saturday market in the central business district.

In December, the Council agreed to a proposal to relocate the market from Albert Street to Broadway on a trial basis from February until June.

Mayor Grant Smith says Council was hoping to have the market relocated by this weekend.

“We met with stallholders late last year and they were keen to relocate. Since then, the Albert Street site has been sold and stallholders have wanted more time to consider their next move.”

“Many are certainly enthusiastic about moving into the central business district. They have asked us to consider other options for the market site including The Square and the King Street Carpark.”

“I’m confident they will see the business sense in moving into the central city. We think it will help make it a more vibrant place to shop but at the end of the day, it is their decision.”

Mayor Smith says Council is in no rush and will continue talking with stallholders in the coming days.

In the meantime, Council’s parking trial to help stimulate Saturday morning shopping in the CBD will still go ahead.

“We will proceed with our offer of free parking at metered parking spaces on Saturday mornings until 11am.”

Mayor Smith says the trial will begin this Saturday and finish at the end of April.

“We’ll be assessing how well it is working along the way,” he says.

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