Traders believe the ambitious plans pose a ‘substantial risk of failure’
Around 100 traders at Huddersfield Open Market have signed a letter opposing the council’s plans to alter the market – they believe the plans pose a “substantial risk of failure”.
Kirklees Council secured a £16.5m grant from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to update the market. Plans include new fixed stalls, as well as over 70 demountable stalls for market days, along with hot food vendors, a bar and seating area. The market would also be open for more days and longer hours.
The traders say the signatures represent more than 90 per cent of the traders present at the historic market, which dates back to 1887, on Thursday 9 and Saturday October 11 and is an overwhelming majority of the total number of stallholders on all days the market is open.
In their letter, the traders point out that they have expertise and experience of markets across the north of England, and based on that knowledge they believe the council’s plans have “a substantial risk of failure that will cause the building to fall into decline with additional adverse effects on the surrounding conservation area.”
But the council say 97 of 101 who engaged with them in February over the plans said they would be applying for a site at the new market. They also stress that English Heritage and other conservation environmental agencies have been consulted and it will not negatively impact the surrounding conservation area.
Evangelos Dimopoulos, who has run the Snack Shack café in the market for 19 years, said: “These alterations affect the jobs of everyone here, so obviously we talk about them, and we all know that there is no support among traders. We were very surprised to read councillor Turner’s comments, and everyone wanted to sign the letter to make sure our opposition is loud and clear.”
Andrew Wilson, director of West Yorkshire think tank Same Skies and a weekly shopper at the market, said: “This project has a budget of £16 million. To find out what the traders think, why couldn’t someone just walk up and down the rows and talk to each trader individually? It would take a couple of days at most.”
Councillor Graham Turner Cabinet member for Finance and Regeneration said: ‘Major investment in the market is an important part of the transformation of Huddersfield town centre. And we understand that traders have to be at the heart of the plans.
“So, we were pleased that nearly every current trader has told us they’re interested in returning to the market once the improvements have been delivered. We’ve also adapted our plans in response to their feedback, and we are committed to working with traders throughout the project.
“Huddersfield has a really bright future, and we believe an improved market that builds on its proud history will draw more people into the town centre and create opportunities for traders, other local businesses and residents for years to come.”
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