| Lower Marsh Market |
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Waterloo Quarter BID has been appointed by Lambeth Council to, in partnership with the authority, develop a tender brief to out-source the management of Lower Marsh market to a commercial market operator. The market operator would also manage 10 isolated pitches in the Waterloo/South Bank area.
 The out-sourced management arrangement would follow a similar model to that adopted by Barking & Dagenham Council in Barking town centre. Like Lower Marsh, the Barking market was in serious decline, with only 16 occupied pitches in 1999. The new market traded with 137 pitches on its very first day and last year traded with an average of 149 occupied pitches each day, transforming the town centre. It is hoped that Lower Marsh will undergo a similar transformation.
The new management arrangements will bring an on-site management presence to Lower Marsh, the business expertise of a professional operator, enhanced promotion of the market and access to a wide range of traders that can compliment the shops in the street. The market operator is likely to be appointed in Autumn 2009 following a competitive tender and will be hosted in the offices of Waterloo Quarter to ensure close liaison between the businesses and stallholders.
 John Rushton, Chair of Waterloo Quarter BID noted the business benefits a revitalised market could bring to the area: 'A well-managed, well promoted market in Lower Marsh has the potential to act as a real draw to the area and create a focal point to this part of Waterloo. The increased footfall this will bring can only benefit local shops and all users of the street. Retailers in Barking, where a similar arrangement was put in place, enjoy their busiest trading days when the market is running. With luck, Waterloo's experience will mirror this.' Doug Perry, Head of Streetcare at Lambeth Council explained the rationale behind the new arrangement: 'The market in Lower Marsh has been in decline for many years and we need to take action to reverse this downward trend. We are committed to Lower Marsh market and believe that a professional market operator will bring the expertise needed to make a commercial success of the operation, creating a thriving, bustling market that compliments the local retail offer. A regenerated market will also provide services and employment opportunities for local people. We are happy to be working with Waterloo Quarter and other committed local partners to bring about this change.'
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