Market brolly is a ‘shade too modern’

Apr 11 2008 by Dave Black, The Journal

RADICAL plans to give a market town’s main square a shield against bad weather have met a frosty response from local people.

Architects have unveiled proposals to cover about two-thirds of Alnwick’s 15th Century Market Place with a giant fabric awning in an attempt to tackle the perennial problem of open air events being ruined by rain.

The futuristic umbrella would provide a temporary and movable cover to allow community events such as weekly markets, food festivals, the annual international music festival, fairs and concerts to go ahead relatively unaffected by poor weather.

The Alnwick Community Development Trust, which is sponsoring the project, yesterday admitted the idea was radical and bound to cause controversy – and pledged it would not go ahead if most local people rejected it.

A public consultation exercise is planned, but yesterday business people in the Market Place were far from convinced the initiative would benefit the town.

Alan Kim, of Handi Stationery, said: “In my opinion this is far too ultra-modern for a market town like Alnwick. It might be OK in the Alnwick Garden, but it is simply out of keeping with the Market Place. I am sure something far more traditional could be done without going into the space age.”

Katie Hall, manageress at The Grapevine coffee shop and restaurant, said: “My initial reaction is that it’s a bit too modern-looking for the market place. It won’t affect business, but it will have an impact on the look of the town centre and I’m a bit sceptical about it.”

Ellen Sloan, owner of The Lunchbox cafe and sandwich bar, said: “This cover would help when it’s raining and might look OK with open stalls for things like the food festival. However, if it was used with the closed, tent-style stalls they have for the markets it would be too oppressive.”

The designs for the awning have been produced by Newcastle architecture practice Jane Darbyshire and David Kendall.

Development trust chairman Gordon Castle said: “This is a radical idea and we know it will be controversial, but it is going out to public consultation.

“We have no intention of pushing something on people which they don’t want, but this is an attempt to solve the problem of events in the Market Place being affected by bad weather. There have been comments already that this is far too radical for the location, but the images don’t give the true picture, as this awning would be quite light and airy.

“It is futuristic but sometimes the old and new can sit comfortably together.”