High Street Market Trial Ends

Eastleigh’s extended Saturday market is to revert to just its Leigh Road location.

For a trial period, which started in March this year, the town’s Saturday market was extended from Leigh Road  into High Street.

The trial has also seen the closure of High Street to traffic on Saturdays.

However, a decline in the number of stalls operating in High Street has led to the Council calling a halt to the trial.  From 11 October the Saturday market will only  operate from the Leigh Road precinct, while High Street and Leigh Road car park will be reopened to Saturday traffic.

Eastleigh’s Cabinet member for Business and Skills Peter Wall was disappointed but believes the trial has been worthwhile.

“The idea for the trial stemmed from a popular street market during last year’s Winter Wonderland event.  This created a really vibrant atmosphere and helped attract thousands of extra visitors to the town.  The project did initially bring extra people to the town centre.  But with a general downturn for markets across the country this early success could not be maintained.  We have listened to the concerns of local retailers and clearly there are now insufficient stall holders to make the larger street market viable.”

But he made it clear that the Council would continue to support a market in the town.  “We remain committed to working with the operators to ensure that a vibrant and successful market continues in Eastleigh.”

The Saturday market will continue from the Leigh Road precinct.  High Street will be closed on 15 November for one day only for the town’s annual Christmas in Eastleigh event.