Arnold Market could continue trading at Eagle Square throughout 2027 under an application due to be considered by councillors.
Gedling Borough Council is seeking street trading consent for the market from 1 January to 31 December 2027, with its current permission expiring at the end of this year.
The council’s Environment and Licensing Committee will consider the application on 3 November. Officers recommend approval, along with two exceptions to the authority’s street trading policy to allow regular market days and trading from vehicles.
The report says the council intends to continue operating the market at Eagle Square under its current arrangements, with “no immediate plans for change”.
Although planning permission was granted in 2025 for Eagle Square to become the market’s permanent trading site, separate street trading consent must be renewed annually. The forthcoming decision concerns permission to trade during 2027.
The market was temporarily moved to Eagle Square during construction of the Arnold Market Place development, known as the AMP, at its previous location.
A consultation commissioned by the council in 2024 sought views from traders, local businesses and members of the public on the market’s future. This was followed by an independent market review in 2025.
According to the report, the findings indicated support for keeping the market at Eagle Square and recognised its contribution to footfall, local trade and activity in Arnold town centre. Those findings helped inform the council’s decision to continue operating from the square.
To maintain regular trading, councillors are being asked to approve an exception to a policy which normally prevents any trader from operating for more than 16 days in a calendar year.
The report says applying that limit to Arnold Market would restrict how regularly it could operate each week.
A second exception would allow trading from a stationary van, cart, barrow or other vehicle, which the council’s policy would otherwise prevent. Officers say this would allow pitches to be offered to mobile businesses and provide greater flexibility in the range of goods available to shoppers.
The council previously applied in 2025 to vary the market’s consent to allow a mobile business to trade there.
Eagle Square falls within Arnold’s designated street trading consent area. In 2012, councillors changed the status of Front Street and parts of adjoining streets to allow markets, fairs and other events to take place with council consent.
Officers say the latest application meets the policy’s objectives of supporting local traders, complementing existing retailers and encouraging people to visit the town centre.
The report identifies no financial implications arising from the application.
Councillors must consider the reasons for departing from the street trading policy and any relevant representations before reaching a decision. If approved, the consent would allow the market to continue operating throughout 2027, including accommodating traders using vehicles.
