A Spalding resident has urged South Holland District Council to change the way it works with market traders, saying businesses operating in the town feel unsupported over decisions that affect their pitches, costs and the layout of the market.
Carol Hudson, of Hawthorn Bank, wrote about her concerns in a letter published by The Spalding and South Holland Voice on September 16, 2026. She said she regularly uses Spalding market and had become increasingly worried about the treatment of traders.
Hudson said she spoke to traders week after week who felt “unsupported, ignored and left in the dark” by South Holland District Council. Her letter said small businesses were already facing difficult conditions, but traders were receiving little communication or flexibility when issues affecting their work arose.
Calls for clearer communication
The concerns described in the letter include decisions about traders’ pitches, their costs and the market’s layout. Hudson said there was “little or no communication” when such decisions were made, leaving traders without the information they needed about changes affecting their businesses.
She also said traders seeking practical adjustments could face what appeared to be a refusal or no answer. The examples given included trying a different trading day, moving a pitch slightly to improve footfall and testing new ideas.
“When they ask for flexibility, perhaps to try a different day, move a pitch slightly to improve footfall, or trial new ideas, the answer appears to be a flat ‘no’ or no answer at all.”
Hudson called on the district council to sit down with traders and listen to their concerns. She said communication about changes should be clear and provided in advance, while the council should show a willingness to consider flexible arrangements.
Market’s role in the town centre
The letter argued that Spalding Market is important beyond the individual stalls and traders who operate there. Hudson described it as the “heart of our town centre”, saying it brings people into Spalding and supports other shops and cafes.
She also linked the market with the town’s character and identity, and said it had been in place for centuries. Her argument was that this history and wider role depended on the traders who keep the market operating.
Hudson warned that if traders were lost because they did not receive enough support, the consequences would extend beyond the market itself. She said other towns supported their markets through promotion, communication and flexibility, and questioned why South Holland could not do the same.
The letter ended with a direct warning about the wider effect of the issue.
“A thriving market means a thriving Spalding and that benefits us all.”
No council response included
The published material is a resident’s letter and does not include a response from South Holland District Council. It also does not identify a specific council decision, planned change or timetable connected with the concerns raised.
Hudson’s requested next steps are for the council to speak directly with traders, hear their concerns, explain changes clearly and in advance, and consider flexibility over arrangements such as trading days, pitch positions and trials of new ideas.