‘Shops have to cash in on visitors'

6:55pm Thursday 12th June 2008

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Businesses in Bingley are being urged to ride on the tails of the town's booming new market.

Stallholders are enjoying the fruits of their labour since the market was launched in a purpose-built £1 million square on Main Street in March this year.

The 40 stalls are proving such a hit, a handful of new stalls are imminent, and Bradford Council has a waiting list of about 60 potential traders.

Now Bingley Town Centre manager David Dinsey is urging shopkeepers to ride on the back of the market's success and promote their businesses.

He said: "It is still early days but with more and more interest being shown from new market traders, the three-times-a-week market is moving forward in both the quantity and quality of goods on offer.

"And it is having a positive effect on the town with the increased footfall which we are hoping will continue to have a knock-on effect with the town's retailers.

"I will be working with the Chamber of Trade to see how we can capitalise on the increased footfall by encouraging new visitors into our shops."

The town's Main Street is also booming, with just four vacant stores - the lowest Mr Dinsey has ever experienced.

Sarah Scaife and her husband David launched their Simply Wedding Dresses store in the Main Street on the same weekend the market was launched.

They could not be happier with their choice and believe business can only get better with the prospect of the town's 5Rise shopping development.

She said: "It is definitely busier in Bingley when the market is on and while it may not create more customers on the day, people do walk past and stop and look and then make referrals."

Mike and Sharon Smith run Opulence in the town, but the market has given Sharon the opportunity to branch out and she now runs a wholefoods stall in the market.

Bingley Business Watch chairman Kay Adams, of Kay Krafts, said the market has "put the heart back in to Bingley".