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| Leeds' Kirkgate market at a crossroads | Leeds' Kirkgate market at a crossroads |
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| Last week, the £300m Trinity Leeds development opened – the only large-scale shopping mall to open in western Europe this year. And there are ambitious multimillion-pound plans to transform the Eastgate area of the city centre into an aspirational shopping area called Eastgate Quarters, with a John Lewis store at its heart. | Last week, the £300m Trinity Leeds development opened – the only large-scale shopping mall to open in western Europe this year. And there are ambitious multimillion-pound plans to transform the Eastgate area of the city centre into an aspirational shopping area called Eastgate Quarters, with a John Lewis store at its heart. |
| But as Leeds flourishes as a haven for high-end shoppers, the city's historic Kirkgate market remains one of the oldest and most important retail developments for people of all backgrounds. | But as Leeds flourishes as a haven for high-end shoppers, the city's historic Kirkgate market remains one of the oldest and most important retail developments for people of all backgrounds. |
| Built in 1857, the largest indoor market in Europe was developed in response to growing public demand for markets and food halls. It survived a devastating blaze in 1975 that destroyed two-thirds of its buildings, and German bombs during the second world war. | Built in 1857, the largest indoor market in Europe was developed in response to growing public demand for markets and food halls. It survived a devastating blaze in 1975 that destroyed two-thirds of its buildings, and German bombs during the second world war. |
| But in recent years disgruntled traders have voiced fears that a lack of investment and marketing couple with high rents was leading to run-down facilities and empty stalls. They fear for the very future of the market. | But in recent years disgruntled traders have voiced fears that a lack of investment and marketing couple with high rents was leading to run-down facilities and empty stalls. They fear for the very future of the market. |
| Following several high-profile public consultations and several years of increasingly strained relations between some traders and market management, Leeds city council, which owns the market, has plans for a £12.3m revamp. | Following several high-profile public consultations and several years of increasingly strained relations between some traders and market management, Leeds city council, which owns the market, has plans for a £12.3m revamp. |
| Proposals include roof repairs, an events and entertainment space, new routes through the market, improved signage and distinct zones to attract shoppers to all areas of the market. This could include relocating the rows of butchers and fishmongers. There would also be a daily indoor market where traders could come and pitch for just a day without a regular commitment. | Proposals include roof repairs, an events and entertainment space, new routes through the market, improved signage and distinct zones to attract shoppers to all areas of the market. This could include relocating the rows of butchers and fishmongers. There would also be a daily indoor market where traders could come and pitch for just a day without a regular commitment. |
| Improvements to the George Street frontage will form a separate project to improve the area, including new ground floor retail units, which would face both the Eastgate development and open into the market. Above would be private residential property. | Improvements to the George Street frontage will form a separate project to improve the area, including new ground floor retail units, which would face both the Eastgate development and open into the market. Above would be private residential property. |
| Council bosses hope that preparatory work on the market improvements will start this year, with the majority of the work completed by the opening of Eastgate in 2016. | Council bosses hope that preparatory work on the market improvements will start this year, with the majority of the work completed by the opening of Eastgate in 2016. |
| At a recent press conference in Leeds Town Hall, Cllr Richard Lewis said: "It is important we retain the character of the market and at the same time bring it into the 21st century to attract more customers. We feel this is a pragmatic solution to the issues around the market. Doing nothing is not the answer. We've taken our lead from the public consultation we've been holding. | At a recent press conference in Leeds Town Hall, Cllr Richard Lewis said: "It is important we retain the character of the market and at the same time bring it into the 21st century to attract more customers. We feel this is a pragmatic solution to the issues around the market. Doing nothing is not the answer. We've taken our lead from the public consultation we've been holding. |
| "We have a real opportunity to develop Kirkgate market and with the new Eastgate shopping centre just across the road, this will become a much busier area of the city and we need to harness this by improving both the interior and exterior of the market, making it both attractive and easily accessible." | "We have a real opportunity to develop Kirkgate market and with the new Eastgate shopping centre just across the road, this will become a much busier area of the city and we need to harness this by improving both the interior and exterior of the market, making it both attractive and easily accessible." |
| Improvements would be financed by borrowing off the annual profit the market generates from rents. | Improvements would be financed by borrowing off the annual profit the market generates from rents. |
| But a campaign group, the Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market, remains sceptical. It says the council's plan is risky and lacks financial rigor, and that it could be used to increase rents, displace traders and compromise the affordability of the market. It also claims the initiative does not solve the broken relations between traders and management. | But a campaign group, the Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market, remains sceptical. It says the council's plan is risky and lacks financial rigor, and that it could be used to increase rents, displace traders and compromise the affordability of the market. It also claims the initiative does not solve the broken relations between traders and management. |
| Liz Laughton, who chairs the Leeds branch of the National Market Traders Federation and is the proprieter of the R Bethel fish stall – which has been in the market for over 100 years – echoed the Friends' concerns over the financing arrangements and said the council was paying little more than lip service to what people actually want. | Liz Laughton, who chairs the Leeds branch of the National Market Traders Federation and is the proprieter of the R Bethel fish stall – which has been in the market for over 100 years – echoed the Friends' concerns over the financing arrangements and said the council was paying little more than lip service to what people actually want. |
| The decision of the council's executive board to press ahead with the Kirkgate plans has been 'called in' by Conservative councillors and will now go before a council scrutiny board. The board, made up of local councillors, can't overturn the decision, but could the ask executive board to re-examine the proposal. | The decision of the council's executive board to press ahead with the Kirkgate plans has been 'called in' by Conservative councillors and will now go before a council scrutiny board. The board, made up of local councillors, can't overturn the decision, but could the ask executive board to re-examine the proposal. |
| It was also reported this week that market bosses plan to attract new stallholders by offering them reduced rent for one year. | It was also reported this week that market bosses plan to attract new stallholders by offering them reduced rent for one year. |
| The standoff between the Friends, traders and council bosses is a familiar one. Positions on both sides are firmly entrenched and there are high levels of mistrust. If, as expected, the improvement measures go ahead, initial work could begin later this year and, alongside the Eastgate development, could help reinvigorate that particular part of town. | The standoff between the Friends, traders and council bosses is a familiar one. Positions on both sides are firmly entrenched and there are high levels of mistrust. If, as expected, the improvement measures go ahead, initial work could begin later this year and, alongside the Eastgate development, could help reinvigorate that particular part of town. |
| The market is undoubtedly at a crossroads in its history as it struggles to compete with the rise of cheap supermarkets and changing shopping habits. The direction it takes over next few months will be an interesting addition to its already rich history. | The market is undoubtedly at a crossroads in its history as it struggles to compete with the rise of cheap supermarkets and changing shopping habits. The direction it takes over next few months will be an interesting addition to its already rich history. |
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