What do you think - is King’s Lynn ready for continental cafe culture..?

By Chris Bishop Friday, November 23, 2012
4:57 PM

Continental cafe culture could be on its way to King’s Lynn - for the price of a few parking spaces.

Plans to pave the south and east sides of the square have been revealed which would allow seating outside the Mayden’s Head pub, Duke’s Head Hotel, Prezzo and Gourmet Plaza.

Proposals which have been drawn up by West Norfolk and Norfolk County councils would see car parking reduced by 50 spaces.

These would be used to create a pedestrian strip running from Ward Gethin Archer’s offices, at the corner of St Nicholas Street, and Prezzo, at the corner of king Street. Trees would be planted and the car park resurfaced.

Alistair Beales, West Norfolk’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “We’ve been talking about doing something with the Tuesday Market Place for far too long.

“We have now come up with a scheme which we believe will dramatically improve the visual appearance of the square, making it an attractive place that people want to visit, whilst retaining its historic significance.

“The proposals will also mean that the space will be flexible and will still be suitable for a range of events in the future.”

The Tuesday Market Place, flanked by the Corn Exchange and Duke’s Head, is considered one of the finest Europe.

The councils say concentrating parking in the centre would make the area safer for pedestrians, while trees and seating will improve the square’s visual appeal.

Public consultation into the proposals starts on Monday and runs until Friday, December 21. Plans will be on display in the council’s offices in Chapel Street.

On Tuesday, the project team will be taking a stall on the market to display proposals and answer any questions people may have about the proposals.

On Thursday, December 13 (5pm), there will be apublic meeting at the council offices.

Elizabeth Nockolds, the council’s cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to enhance the visual appearance of the market square and for us to provide greater opportunities for social, commercial and community use of the space.

“I hope people will come along to see what’s planned and let us have their thoughts on our suggested proposals. People’s input will help us to get the detail of the scheme right.”

The proposals can also be viewed online and comments made by visiting the link (top right).

People can also e-mail their views to david.wardale@norfolk.gov.uk, or write to Tuesday Market Place Consultation, FAO David Wardale, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2SG.

The consultation closes on Friday, 21 December 2012. All comments will be considered before a final decision is made.

If the scheme is approved it is anticipated that work will commence next July after Festival Too and will finish by the end of the year.