The Inclusive Economy and Culture Scrutiny Panel were scheduled to meet to discuss the borough's markets, high streets and shopping parades. The panel were expected to review the implementation of the Market Improvement Plan, and the council's approach to the management of small parades. They were also scheduled to consider the scope of reports for the meeting in January 2026.

Review of Markets and Update on Market Improvement Planning

The panel were scheduled to discuss a report on market infrastructure improvements and the implementation of the Market Improvement Plan.

The report stated that Beresford Square Market re-opened in June 2025 after public realm works were completed. These works included:

• A new urban garden
• Terraced seating
• Lighting
• An interactive water fountain

The report also stated that the Royal Borough of Greenwich updated the Beresford Square Market Trader Licensing Rules in March 2025. The revisions included annual licence reviews, a strengthened non-payment and arrears process, a two-month deposit for new permanent traders, a tighter sickness relief policy, and day-to-day management upgrades.

The report noted that Beresford Square Market currently operates with 49 pitches, and that 46 of these are occupied by 27 traders. The trader mix includes 4 White traders, 2 African, 1 West Indian, and 19 Asian traders representing backgrounds from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, Nepal, and Tibet.

The report also noted that the council is actively advertising and processing applications for temporary street trading pitches across the borough, and that the issuing of additional temporary street trading licences could contribute to a projected 20% increase in current market income.

The report stated that the borough's town centre street trading tariff (£27.50/day or £152/week) is competitive compared to other boroughs, but that there are opportunities to modernise the fee structure, optimise space utilisation, and strategically integrate events to boost income while maintaining accessibility.

The report suggested introducing higher rates for hot food and high-waste commodities, peak and off-peak tariffs, premium pitch zones, and loyalty and multi-day discounts. It also suggested promoting event-led trading opportunities using the new Outdoor Events Policy.

The report noted that traders face cost pressures, including fees rising by around 10% on return to Beresford Square, food inflation, and reduced stall space. It also noted that planned redevelopment projects will cause space loss and parking disruption.

The report stated that the council has undertaken a branding exercise with creative services and the trader to devise a brand which can be used to raise the profile of the market. It also stated that the Youth Enterprise Programme, which is being delivered in collaboration with Royal Borough of Greenwich, training provider Academy of Success and Berkeley Homes, is a six-week programme for people aged 18 to 25 to gain the skills and knowledge to launch their concept. At the end of the six weeks, ten entrepreneurs will take their business idea to market and debut at the new chalet-style Christmas stalls in Beresford Square for the whole month of December.

The report also stated that there are an additional 18 chalet huts available across the borough in Greenwich High Road, Eltham, and Beresford Square for anyone to apply for a pitch.

Small Parades Management

The panel were scheduled to discuss a report on the council's current approach to the management of small parades¹.

The report noted that neighbourhood shopping parades have not received the same level of attention, or specific interventions, as high streets and town centres, but that they play an important role in serving communities, offering opportunities for small businesses, and act as a barometer for how vibrant a particular area is.

The report identified 34 neighbourhood parades across the borough, outside of high streets and designated town centres. These parades may have been under pressure from larger commercial centres and changing consumer behaviour, however they support sustainable communities and provide access to products and services meeting essential needs.

The report stated that the parades are products of their history, setting and the surrounding areas, and that the ownership of the individual properties making up a parade includes both private landlords and some that are within the Council's ownership, which are typically beneath Council-owned social housing.

The report included data and insights from the High Streets Data Service, vacancy audits of retail parades, and inspection visits.

The High Streets Data Service provides summary data on 10 of the borough's parades:

• Bexley Road, Avery Hill
• Brewery Road, Plumstead
• Charlton Church Lane, Charlton
• Fiveways Sidcup Road, New Eltham
• Hillreach, Woolwich
• Plumstead Common Road, Plumstead
• Plumstead High Street East
• Westmount Road, Eltham
• Wickham Lane, Plumstead

The report noted that food-related premises make up the largest share of business types on neighbourhood parades in the borough (26%), and that there is a mixed picture across the three-year period and within the year-on-year trends related to footfall.

The report stated that the peak day for visits is almost consistently Friday, and that the lowest day for footfall is typically a Sunday.

The report noted that many of the businesses in neighbourhood parades are hot food related, and that the HSDS data is based upon Mastercard data and therefore will not capture cash or online transactions which will make up a significant proportion of the spend in neighbourhood parades.

The report stated that overall there are currently 29 vacant units across the thirty-four parades and 490 total premises, which is a vacancy rate of 5.9%.

The report included a detailed review of two sample parades: Westmount Road, and Brewery Road.

The report noted that the majority of small parades and retail premises are in private ownership, but that the council does own a portfolio of retail units in secondary locations across the Borough typically on existing housing estates and below residential properties within the Housing Revenue Account. There are 208 retail properties in this portfolio, and the current vacancy rate is 2.4%.

The report highlighted that neighbourhood parade businesses often face the constraints of available premises, and that changing consumer behaviour will present both challenges, or opportunities.

The report considered the types of interventions that could impact upon a parade, including the surrounding public realm and accessibility, policies or initiatives relevant to the owners / landlords, and policies or initiatives that support the independent business operators.

The report noted that High Street Rental Auctions, a new power for local authorities to require landlords to rent out persistently vacant commercial properties to new tenants, were introduced as part of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act in 2023, but that this is not applicable at the neighbourhood parade level.

The report stated that the Local Plan is currently being updated, and that one significant national change since the previous version of the Local Plan is the change in Use Classes².

The report noted that the 2014 Local Plan includes policy TC7 Local Centres and Neighbourhood Parades which supports the enhancement of local centres and neighbourhood parades and encourage retail and services that are appropriately scaled to serve the needs of their local catchment.

Commissioning of Future Reports

The panel were scheduled to note the work items that are scheduled to be presented to the meeting of the Inclusive Economy and Culture Scrutiny Panel taking place on 8 January 2026, and to consider the scope of forthcoming reports and specify any detailed requirements.

The reports scheduled for the 8 January 2026 meeting are:

• Greenwich Supports Strategy Update
• Performance Review for Welfare Rights & Advice provision
• Night Time Enterprise Zones