HARPENDEN TOWN COUNCIL
NON CONFIDENTIAL
COMMITTEE:
ENVIRONMENT
DATE:
24 OCTOBER 2012
REPORT BY:
TOWN CLERK
SUBJECT:
FARMERS MARKET – STALL CHARGES 2013
1.
Summary
1.1
The current charges for the Harpenden Farmers Market were increased with
effect from January 2011 from £31 to £35. The previous increases were in
January 2008 from £30 to £31 and in January 2007 from £29 to £30, all prices
being inclusive of VAT.
1.2
When Members considered the charges previously they were mindful of the
Council’s objective to break-even (cost neutral). Members also noted that the
deficit had reduced year on year and that the increased charge would assist
bringing the market towards a cost neutral position.
1.3
Charges for the market are effective from January to December and are quoted
in the annual Information and Application Packs issued in October for the
forthcoming year. Any changes will therefore need to be agreed and included in
the Packs for 2013.
1.4
The draft budget for the Market for 2013/14 will be presented to the November
meeting of this Committee, at which point a better understanding of the overall
position should be known, but this will be too late for issuing the Packs.
2.
Recommendations
2.1
It is recommended to increase stall charges in 2013/14 by £1 to £36, an overall
increase of approximately 2.8%.
3.
Background
3.1
The 2013 Information and Application Packs for the market stall holders will be
produced shortly for issuing in October. Included in the pack are details of the
charges for each market during the year.
3.2
A comparative exercise on the current charges of other markets, and the
stall/pitch dimensions, is detailed below:
Farmers Market
Harpenden Market
St Albans Farmers Market
Stall charges
per market
£35
£30
Stall dimensions,
including canopy
7ft – 7ft
10ft – 10ft
Stevenage Market
Hertford Market
Hatfield Market
£16
£27
(+ £2.50 electricity)
£18
10ft – 10ft
10ft – 10ft
8ft – 6ft
3.3
Although the Harpenden Farmers Market is the most expensive market with the
smallest pitch size it is highly regarded and considered to be one of the more
productive and well attended markets.
3.4
If there is any resistance to the proposed increase by stall holders leaving the
market there is currently a waiting list for the market. However, until all the
applications for 2013 have been returned the demand level will not be fully
known.
3.5
In addition, infill by any trades on the waiting list will be subject to the numbers
involved, ensuring they meet the guidelines criteria/requirements and they
provide the market with an adequate range of goods.
3.6
Although Harpenden Town Council has 71 stalls monies are collected from 70
stalls on market day due to a charity being given a stall. 7 of the 71 are stalls
provided by market traders but they are charged for the pitch.
3.7
Officers have been made aware that the District Council are looking at their
Farmers Market with a view to holding an additional market each month,
following the cancellation of the Wheathampstead Farmers Market. At present
there is a concern that with a second St Albans Farmers Market this may
possibly threaten the number of traders attending the Harpenden Farmers
Market. An increase in fees may be seen as a disincentive to attend the
Harpenden Farmers Market.
4.
Financial implications
4.1
If Members agree to a £1 increase to £36, including VAT, from January 2013
additional net income of £580 could be achieved over a full year if all pitches are
occupied.
4.2
Income figures are calculated based on full capacity (i.e. 70 stalls per market and
the number of markets per year and there will be 12 markets in 2012 and 2013).
However, these numbers are not achieved every month of the year as some
stalls are seasonal or weather affected and seven of the stalls are supplied by
traders when and if they attend.
4.3
The budgeted net cost of the farmers market for 2012/13 is £1,100 (8 pence per
Band D household per year or less than a penny per Market).
4.4
The comparative outturn for the Farmers Market in previous years was a deficit
of £1,865 in 2008/09, £1,732 in 2009/10, £704 in 2010/11 and a surplus of
£2,530 in 2011/12.
Contact Officers – Paul Smith, Business and Operations Manager