A NUMBER of proposed recommendations to shake-up markets in Spilsby and Mablethorpe are being looked at by East Lindsey District Council.

A review of local markets including those in Horncastle and Louth was launched back in April to consider a number of ideas to make markets more attractive to shoppers and traders.

Now, business development manager at ELDC, Alison McDonald has written to all market traders briefing them on some of the suggestions which are to be put before the council's Scrutiny B committee on Monday.

In her letter Alison McDonald said: "The most frequent comment we received through the market consultation was regarding the poor appearance of markets, and in particular the number of vacant stalls, early packing up by some traders and the uncoordinated/untidy look of the stalls."

Particular suggestions to resolve these issues include work to improve the appearance of stalls, providing new canopies for stalls, and a fixed closure time for all traders.

There are also recommendations to help existing stall holders and to attract new ones. These include a trader referral scheme to reward traders who introduce new stallholders to the markets, rewarding new traders with a rent free week, increasing the holiday entitlement from two to six weeks and a multi-stall incentive to encourage existing traders to try new lines.

A spokesperson for ELDC said: "The Scrutiny B committee is looking at how the markets can be made more vibrant and how they can be improved.

"Alot of the recommendations are based on the comments made my the local community and traders during the review period."

The recommendations will ultimately go before the councils Executive Board and a final decision is likely to be made in Spring 2010.

Market traders are invited to pass their comments on the proposals to Alison McDonald.

What do you think? Are you a local market trader? Tell us what you think of these recommendations. Email sarah.payne@targetseries.co.uk or write to Target Letters, East Coast Target, 20 Cornmarket, Louth, LN11 9PY.