Mae Sioned Williams AS wedi ysgrifennu at y cyngor yn dilyn pryderon a godwyd gan fasnachwyr a chwsmeriaid
Mae Sioned Williams, AS Gorllewin De Cymru, wedi ysgrifennu at Brif Weithredwr Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot i ofyn am eglurder ynghylch cynlluniau'r cyngor ar gyfer dyfodol Marchnad Castell-nedd.
Mae Ms Williams, sydd â’i swyddfa ond 200 metr o'r farchnad, wedi dweud bod y cynnydd sydyn mewn stondinau gwag wedi arwain at “ddyfalu mawr ar y cyfryngau cymdeithasol” gyda “sibrydion anffodus” yn cylchredeg y byddai'r farchnad yn cau yn llwyr.
Yn ddiweddar, bu Ms Williams yn cyfarfod â masnachwyr i ddeall mwy am eu pryderon, sy'n ymwneud â chynlluniau'r cyngor ar gyfer y dyfodol, hyd prydlesau, a'r broses i wneud cais am le yn y farchnad.
Fe wnaeth eu pryderon - ynghyd â'r dyfalu ehangach am gynlluniau'r cyngor ar gyfer y farchnad - ysgogi Ms Williams i ysgrifennu at Karen Jones, Prif Weithredwr cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot i ofyn am gadarnhad am ymrwymiad y Cyngor i gefnogi'r farchnad, darganfod beth maen nhw'n ei wneud i ddenu stondinwyr newydd, a dysgu sut maen nhw'n bwriadu hyrwyddo'r farchnad hanesyddol.
Dywedodd Sioned Williams AS, Aelod Seneddol Plaid Cymru dros Orllewin De Cymru:
“Marchnad Castell-nedd yw calon y dref, ac rwyf am ei gweld yn cymryd ei lle fel gwir drysor canol tref Castell-nedd. Mae ganddi botensial enfawr y gellid ei wireddu gyda hyblygrwydd, buddsoddiad wedi'i dargedu, gwell hyrwyddo, a gwell cyfathrebu a chydweithio rhwng y Cyngor a masnachwyr. Mae ei phwysigrwydd o ran denu ymwelwyr i ganol y dref yn bwysicach nag erioed o ystyried cau Marks and Spencer.
“Fodd bynnag, mae'r stondinau gwag a'r ymddangosiad blinedig wedi arwain at fwy o ddyfalu am ddyfodol y farchnad hanesyddol hon. Rwy'n gwybod o fy arolwg diweddar i ddyfodol canol tref Castell-nedd fod pobl yn ei gwerthfawrogi. Mae gan y cyngor gyfle go iawn i wneud pethau'n wahanol, a gwneud Marchnad Castell-nedd yn galon fywiog y dref yn unol â dymuniadau a dyheadau gymaint o ohonom.
“Hoffwn dderbyn sicrwydd bod y cyngor yn blaenoriaethu'r farchnad yn hyn o beth, eu bod wedi archwilio pob cyfle i dderbyn cyllid grant i ddiweddaru ei edrychiad, a'u bod yn gwneud popeth o fewn eu gallu i hyrwyddo ein marchnad wych i ddarpar gwsmeriaid a masnachwyr newydd fel ei gilydd.”
Llythyr
Llythyr Sioned Williams AS at Karen Jones, Prif Weithredwr Cyngor Castell-nedd Port Talbot (yn Saesneg):
Dear Karen Jones,
I am writing following conversations I have had with traders and customers within Neath Market.
As you may have seen, due to the sudden increase empty stalls in the market there has been intense speculation on social media regarding the market's future. This has led to unfortunate rumours regarding a complete closure of the market, and fuelled concerns among market traders about the vision and plan for the market going forward.
Can I first ask for clear confirmation that the Council is committed to supporting the market as the essential heart of Neath town centre, and that there are no plans for its closure?
While many are working to challenge negative perceptions, rumours like this one will continue for as long as a high number of stalls remain empty.
With that in mind, what efforts are being made to attract new businesses to open up in the market? What is the process involved in someone applying for a space within the market? A number of traders shared their worries that the current process is overly long, with stalls remaining empty for longer than necessary due to delays, so I’d be keen to understand reasons behind the delays in filling empty spaces given that I have previously been told that there have been applications and would ask you to consider reviewing this process to make it more effective.
On a related point, I was told that the Council are requesting three year lease terms with no flexibility on this. Given the challenging trading environment right now, would it not be better to offer flexibility in the lengths of leases, including offering very short term leases (daily, weekly, monthly) in very particular circumstances to make it easier for pop up businesses to fill empty stalls and test the waters for business ideas? Can you explain the reason behind the three year leases, and whether the Council would consider greater flexibility in contract lengths to meet the needs of existing and new market traders?
While I love the market, it cannot be denied that the building itself has seen better days. What plans are there to invest in the physical condition of the building? A number of the traders I spoke to wanted to know if the Council had looked into how much it would cost to update the appearance of the stalls and overall look of the market, and whether grant funding has been explored for this?
More broadly, there is a perception that the market is not promoted in the way that it could or should. There is also some concern that the Council has, for many years, not seen the market as a priority in the town centre. What efforts are being undertaken by the authority to promote the market, including involvement in regular events or campaigns throughout the year?
I welcome the support the Council provided earlier this year to ensure that Neath Market was involved in the Love Your Local Market fortnight campaign – and I think the recognition Neath received from the organisers shows how beneficial involvement in events like this can be – but I would like to know whether the Council intends to continue its involvement in future years, and what more it is considering doing to make this an important fortnight in the market’s calendar?
Finally, in all my discussions with traders they praised the work undertaken by the market manager, but were concerned that decisions made further up were not being communicated to them, and that requests they direct towards the Council either take a long time to be answered or are not answered.
I am concerned that the relationship between traders and the Council is not where it needs to be, and that this means that efforts to make Neath Market the vibrant heart of the town that we know it could be are not able to be taken forward effectively. Would the council consider making the Market Manager a dedicated post, solely focussed on the market's development and success?
It may be a cliché, but Neath Market really is a jewel in the crown of Neath town centre. It has enormous potential that I feel could be realised with flexibility, targeted investment, improved promotion, and better communication and collaboration between Council and traders. Its importance in attracting footfall to the town centre is more important than ever given the closure of Marks and Spencer. I would like to be reassured that the council are prioritising the market in this regard.
I look forward to receiving answers to the above questions, and hearing more about the overall vision that this authority has to make this historic market the vibrant heart of Neath that we all know it could be.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Yn gywir / Yours faithfully,
Sioned Williams AS/MS