New Watford market hall part of Charter Place 'vision' (From Watford Observer)

New Watford market hall part of Charter Place 'vision'

11:44am Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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A “revitalised” Watford Indoor Market will be part of the “vision” for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Charter Place.

However, developers hired to refurbish the open air shopping centre have told market traders the subsidy currently provided by Watford Borough Council to balance its books will not be allowed to continue long-term.

Instead, they hope to create a “refreshed and viable” market as part of the regeneration scheme to turn Charter Place into the “new heart at the centre of the High Street”.

Speaking at a meeting of the Watford Market Working Group on Tuesday, Steve Rogers, project director from developers London and Regional, said: “There's nothing like a market to give spontaneity and vitality to the area. We would like to see that brought out more visibly to get more people going past stalls.

“People just don't know it's there. The market is operating on a subsidy basis which cannot be allowed to continue. It must be improved to a level where the market stands on its own two feet.

“I don't think people know it's there. It needs to be more seen by people so the market is an intrinsic part of Charter Place. At the moment, it's behind closed doors and perhaps forgotten.”

Traders said increasing footfall through the market was key to helping reversing its fortunes.

Michael Rockman, vice-chairman of the Watford Market Traders' Association, said: “We have a problem where there's a major difference between footfall in and around the Harlequin Centre and the footfall coming into the market through Charter Place, which drops dramatically. It's imperative the market is incorporated in the footfall created by the Harlequin.

“Regarding the subsidy, the market is only two-thirds full. If we had a full working indoor market, there would be no need for the subsidy.”

Representatives from London and Regional, and architects Chapman Taylor, stressed there was “no plan” currently in place for the refurbishment, ahead of a far-reaching consultation with shoppers, residents and businesses.

They said, however, that they aimed to help Watford Borough Council realise its vision of “a town to be proud of where people will always choose to live, work and visit”.

In Charter Place, this means providing more leisure facilities, including a cinema and a restaurant, alongside a revitalised market hall, but not creating an extension to the Harlequin Centre, Mr Rogers said.

There could also be a hotel “if demand is there”, with a small number of residential properties.

Mr Rogers said: “We need to do something to stop the continuing decline [of Charter Place]. Not doing something isn't really an option.

“We need to improve the competition which will raise the bar and raise the quality of shops in the Charter Place area.”

Traders were also told existing buildings would be reused where possible, while the market would remain open throughout any future construction works.