Newmarket, a market town that needs a proper market. After years of debate as to whether it should be on the High Street, we now know it’s going to remain on the square.

We need real vision now, to carry Newmarket into the future. We deserve a brilliant market that attracts people into Newmarket from other towns, but most importantly, a market that draws the people of Newmarket back into the town centre.

A market with covering, food trucks, live music, a bar, exciting events, and an area that can be used even when it’s not market day. A vibrant hub where we can meet friends, new and old. A place to have a drink and something to eat after work, or before going out.

I would also like to see some permanent seating, like the seating by the Guildhall in Cambridge, so we can relax, eat and drink, enjoy some good old-fashioned retail therapy, or just watch the world go by.

More importantly, what would you like the market to look like?

Too many times, the will of the people of Newmarket has not been heard. Too many times, decisions that affect us directly have been taken out of our hands. I want our market to reflect what we want and represent us as a community.

Newmarket desperately needs a central location that brings us together, even if it’s just for a conversation. Together, we can bring life and vibrancy into the centre of our town.

West Suffolk Council is driving this work, and we will do it in partnership with local businesses and residents. Existing traders need a proper voice in shaping its future, alongside partners like Love Newmarket. Their experience will help identify what would work.

We’re not finished in Newmarket. In fact, I think we’re just getting started.

Newmarket has one of Suffolk’s oldest markets, with over 800 years of trading. Now it’s time to start showing some real ambition and make it one of the best.

On 14 November, Memorial Hall will be showing a very special screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing, fronted by Chris Packham and featuring Deborah Meaden.

The film draws on the 2025 Westminster briefing, where experts outlined the risks to health, food, security and the economy. It’s about the challenges we’re facing around climate, nature, food and water, and what they mean for our lives and our future.

So, I recommend that anybody who’s curious about the future we’re facing, wants to build resilience for themselves, and wants to understand what resilience means for our country, for Suffolk and for Newmarket, comes down. There’s more to being prepared than a few cans of beans and a bottle of water. We need to understand what we’re preparing for.

It’s free, there’ll be light refreshments and a discussion after the film. Come and meet more of your community. Doors open at 5pm, with the film showing at 5.30pm.

The Makers Market also takes place on 14 November, from 9am to 3pm in Market Square. You could support local traders during the day and join the conversation at the Memorial Hall that evening.

Whether we are improving our market or discussing the future of our environment, local people have experience and ideas worth hearing. Both offer an opportunity to bring people together and think seriously about the town we want Newmarket to become.

See you there,

Janne Jarvis

West Suffolk District Councillor, Newmarket North Town Councillor, Studlands Ward