ATTEMPTS to deliver more markets and speciality fairs in the town centre of Ringwood could prove to be more challenging than first thought.

Members of Ringwood Town Council discussed the subject at a meeting last week as they look to bring more events to the Market Place and High Street.

A report by town clerk Chris Wilkins to the council’s recreation, leisure and open spaces committee said there are difficulties with holding events at the Market Place as it is a public highway.

The authority had hoped to invite interested parties to hold street markets and similar events in the area on a monthly basis.

However, the report told members that implementing road closures could only be done through the Town Police Clauses Act for processions, rejoicings and illuminations, and not for markets or fairs.

In relation to parking restrictions, a Traffic Regulation Order is currently in place for the Wednesday market and holding other regular markets would require a separate order.

Mr Wilkins’ report advised introducing any new events in the Market Place “faces considerable legal and regulatory hurdles quite apart from the commercial implications of current and likely footfall”.

In light of this, members supported a recommendation to invite interested parties to come forward to hold markets at Gateway Square, which does not have the issues of being a public highway.

However, Mayor of Ringwood Tim Ward said he had reservations about holding more events in this location and not in the historic town centre.

“We have a lot going on at Gateway Square at the moment with events on two Saturdays a month in that area already, as well as Fanfare for Spring and the visitor information centre,” Cllr Ward said.

“According to the information we have from the town clerk it’s very difficult to have the necessary road closures to hold a regular market at the Market Place and would need special legislation which could be time consuming and costly.

“For me having a lot of events at Gateway Square risks moving the town centre from the traditional High Street to the Furlong and that is a great worry to me.”