Survey responses - Cornmarket
Question 1:
The Board’s preferred option is option one – leave as existing (space for market stalls on market days and for parking at other times). Which is your preferred option?
- 730 respondents (55%) selected option one – leave as existing as their preferred option
- 465 respondents (35%) selected option two – seasonal scheme as their preferred option
- 94 respondents (7%) selected option three – full time closure as their preferred option
- 29 respondents (2%) selected ‘other’ as their preferred option
Comparison by age, disability respondent type
Age - There was a slight difference in responses when comparing by age.
Respondents aged under 18 and those aged 25 to 49 (121, 47% of respondents within that age group) selected option two – seasonal scheme as their preferred option. Followed by option one - leave as existing (101, 39%), option three - full time closure (32, 12%) and option four - other (6, 2%).
There was no difference in responses when comparing by respondent type or disability.
Question 2:
Please provide any additional comments on why you have answered this way or use the space to share any other ideas you have for the Cornmarket
There were 752 text responses to question supporting the chosen option, including:
- 402 comments supporting option one – leave as existing
- 253 comments supporting option two – seasonal scheme
- 69 comments supporting option three - full time closure
- 28 comments supporting option four - other
Summary of responses of themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Cornmarket across all options
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvements across all comments for Cornmarket were grouped as follows:
- enhance street scene - 30 comments in total. For example, by providing seating or benches for all to use, adding some greenery (flower beds, pots, or trees) and street cleanse
- create shared space on market days to allow stalls and pavement cafes - 26 comments in total
- offer free parking in pay and display car parks - 17 comments in total
- extend time limit for restricted parking – 17 comments in total
Option one – leave as existing (402 comments)
Respondents felt that:
- parking was crucial to Cornmarket area as it provided convenient access to local businesses including the shops and banks
- free, short-term parking allows a good footfall of residents and visitors which benefits all businesses around that area. It provides easy access for those that are less mobile, disabled or elderly
- Louth was a traditional market town and the current mixture for the use of space (for market stalls on market days and for parking at other times) worked well, contributing to the vibrancy of the area
The top three emerging themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Cornmarket, specific to this option, were grouped as follows:
- close occasionally for events – 16 comments
- extend time for restricted parking – 11 comments
- create shared space on market days to allow stalls and pavement cafes – 10 comments
Option two – seasonal scheme (253 comments)
Respondents felt that:
- seasonal scheme would provide a good balance of mix use of the area with cafés, events, market in summer months and parking in winter times. The seasonal scheme would bring more people to the area including families, visitors and holiday makers which would benefit local businesses. It would allow to create a community space for all to enjoy
- there was ample adequate parking elsewhere in town centre
- they felt that if this option was pursued a programme of activities should be established and businesses or organisers would need to commit to prevent it being unused
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Cornmarket, specific to this option, were grouped as follows:
- enhance street scene – 18 comments
- create a shared space on market days - 14 comments
- offer free parking in pay and display in car parks – 12 comments
Option three – full time closure (69 comments)
Respondents felt that:
- full time closure could create a traffic free, safer, and more environmentally friendly community space. It would bring more people to the area.
- there was ample adequate parking elsewhere in the town centre.
The top three themes and, or suggestions for improvement for Cornmarket, specific to this option, were grouped as follows:
- enhance street scene – 12 comments
- offer free parking in pay and display car parks – 5 comments
- provide more disabled parking should be created to offset impact – 3 comments
Option four – other (28 comments)
Respondents felt there is a need for parking in Louth and provided suggestions for improvements, specific to this option, grouped as follows:
- condense market stalls into one location to allow more parking on market days – 8 comments
- extend time for restricted parking – 6 comments
- create a shared space on market days - 2 comments