Published: Wednesday, 1st July, 2009 2:31pm
Largs Market Row
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Stalled? Some local businesses have voiced their opposition to a market at Gateside St car park.
It"s stall or nothing for Largs - after local businesses and councillors were left split over controversial proposals for an open air market in the town centre.
Last week, Largs shopkeepers received a flyer from an unnamed source, promoting plans for a weekend market and utilising ground within the busy Gateside Street car park.
They also maintain that stalls would occupy no more than 28 spaces at the southern end of the car park, while the rest of the land would remain devoted to parking as normal.
Yet, while the organisers say they would 'be responsible for ensuring the car park area was cleared and available for car parking at the end of the market day,' some locals fear it would reduce the capacity of a much-needed facility at key times.
A spokesperson for the market proposal said: 'This would cause very minimal reduction in car parking spaces available to the town.
'With the better signage due to be implemented directing people to the health centre car park, where 130-140 spaces will be available for the weekends, the loss of 28 spaces at the weekend is offset.
'A market would bring great benefits to the town, reinstating Largs" original market town status, attracting visitors to the town and encouraging residents to shop locally in the town centre, rather than just visiting the supermarket and leaving."
VOTE ON WHERE YOU WANT TO SEE A NEW LARGS MARKET.
GO TO:
http://www.largsandmillportnews.com/online/poll/
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alessoffensiveusername
(Unregistered User)
Jul 1 09 20:52
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maybe the wee paper could get a stall!
Einstein
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Jul 2 09 05:56
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I think a weekly market is just what Largs needs, preferrably a Farmer's market where we can buy fruit, vegetables, meats and dairy from the many splendid working farms throughout Ayrshire.
The market could also showcase the many talented artisans that live in the local area and perhaps even kick-start a bit of community spirit and engagement that has very noticeably been missing in the town over the last few years.
But will the puritans allow it?
Largs Local
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Jul 2 09 09:35
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I agree with the previous comments and am delighted to hear that someone is trying to start a weekly market in Largs. I have long thought a local market would be a great idea. It would bring shoppers to the area and can only benefit the local economy. I know we have the monthly farmers market south of Fairlie, however you need a car to get there - what about those without a car? I just hope there can be discussion about this and not a concerted 'no' effort.
I know there is a parking problem in the town, however a lot of this could be solved by people who work in the town not parking in the town centre and leaving their cars there all day. They could park a little further out and walk - thus allowing spaces for people who wish to shop and visit the town centre.
A local market could bring a much needed boost to the trade in Largs.
Greenock local
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Jul 2 09 12:31
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I think the weekly market is an excellent idea. I'm from Greenock and often take my family down to Largs as we love it so much.
Having a market on the front would be just like those you see in France who often take over the town's car park. To know there would be fresh produce there too would certainly attract me to the market on a regular basis.
Andra
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Jul 5 09 00:51
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There is already a well established - for several Decades - market a short distance down the coast at Saltcoats on a Saturday & Wednesday. So why would anyone want to travel to Largs ?.
This is just another ploy to open the Brooksby car park to visitors, as the woman from the taxi firm said let them use the Pay car park near the old Mackays if they want a market. Anytime I pass it it's always near empty.
The Brooksby car park is for people using the Health Centre/Council Office, It was Not built as a free car park for visitors .
Angela
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Jul 7 09 11:56
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I think that a market would be great for Largs. The shops are dwindling to nothing and the market could bring something back to largs. At the moment I refuse to go in to Largs "Town Centre" if you can call it that! as they do not supply anything like others do in North Ayrshire - Irvine has many clothes shops etc... . As for the market in Saltcoats, it is good but like many others, I cannot afford petrol, train or bus tickets constantly. Therefore a market in Largs would be a better and worthwhile option!
MYNAMEISSECRETLIKETHEPROPOSER
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Jul 8 09 22:36
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largs is a very fortunate town that has at this point in time managed to stave off the effects of the credit crunch ,sure the opening of nardinis has almost certainly helped but more importantly the visitors we attract on a yearly basis from march onwards from gt britain and foreign countries continues to increase even through difficult times ,i cannot see what purpose a market in largs would be ,god forbid the same reaction it has had on saltcoats which has clearly benefited from their market with closed run down shops.litter knee high and a tourist attraction similar to a sewer works..if the proposer can honestly see this being a benefit to largs with the loss of car park spaces which quote would far outweigh the amount of new customers coming in to largs then just where exactly are they going to park...sure it would have no affect on local shops already trading apart from losing busines,
christine
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Jul 9 09 23:45
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I\'m all for the market. Let\'s have it down the front where visitors like to be, and can see it happening. By the Greenshutters or in the station would be good, and not take up any of those oh so precious car parking spaces!
Mrs Boyd says a market could be the end to local businesses but surely supermarket chains(in this case Morrisons) have done that already.
iain m
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Jul 12 09 18:42
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I have to agree with those for the idea. Our town centres selection of shops is a joke. It's over run with charity shops. And since Woolworths closed (the only worthwile shop in the town) the place is a ghost town. The only problem is the litter control. Local people need to start showing a bit more pride in where they live. Especially the young ned's who fill the streets with take away wrappers after there nights oot!!
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