Will council and traders manage to resolve their disagreements over proposed market place revamp?

Cleethorpes Market Place as it is now - essentially just a car park, maybe with two or three stalls on two days a week 

FRESH talks are expected this week, possibly as soon as this evening, between senior North East Lincolnshire Council members and Cleethorpes traders in a bid to resolve issues over the proposed revamp of the market place. 

The proposal has sparked controversy because  traders, especially shopkeepers and restaurateurs, think they will lose custom if parking spaces are reduced. 

But NELC believes the town overall - and the wider area - will benefit if the area reverts to its original purpose - as a place where markets can be held. 

Says a spokesperson: "There will be a welcoming entrance from St. Peter’s Avenue to Market Place, with street paving improvements. 

"A one-way system will  reduce vehicle traffic and increase space for pedestrians

"There will also be 'flexible' space for events/alfresco eating and drinking plus displays of public art and the potential for a screen. 

"Through traffic will be restricted to maintenance vehicles, emergency access and events traffic.

"The footway will be of high quality footway, and some trees will be planted."

The authority says layby parking will be retained with additional spaces to be provided on the land behind the nearby Old Vic pub and, at least until the property is sold, in the grounds of the vacant civic offices.                                               

The new design presents  the existing car park (in purple) as a prospective 'flexible events space'

The project envisages one layout for 'busy' days and another for 'quiet' days

Is Louth Market Place preferable - no cars but plenty of stalls (and customers)?  Here, East Lindsey District Council operates a 'hybrid' system, with parking available on the four days of the week when there is not a market. However, the Cleethorpes proposal may not offer the same flexibility.