COUNCIL'S MARKET DEAL HOPES

Authority looks for £20m partnership to secure future of historic city-centre site

Joanne Ginley
A HISTORIC Leeds market could see major investment for a much-needed makeover if councillors approve ambitious plans for the site.
If backing is given public talks can then begin and efforts can be made to see if developers are interested in partnering Leeds City Council to generate an estimated £20m needed to carry out improvements to Kirkgate Market and secure its future.
Initial talks with traders and local businesses have highlighted the need to improve the visual appearance of the market including replacing trading halls, known as "temporary sheds", built after a fire in 1975, and revamping the market's frontage onto George Street.
Councillor Andrew Carter, Leeds City Council executive board member with responsibility for city development said: "Kirkgate Market
is a valued asset and its future success is of prime importance.
"A development partnership would enable us to widen the scope for the market's future development while, I stress, keeping it under the council's ownership."
Leeds Kirkgate Market was opened on July 1, 1904.
Michael Marks opened his Penny Bazaar in the open market behind the Edwardian hall in 1884, leading to the founding of Marks & Spencer in 1890.
Coun Carter added: "Leeds is a vibrant and attractive city and we are especially proud of its many historical assets like Kirkgate Market.
"We are keen to do all we can to ensure that the market remains as much a success in future years as it has been in the past.
"In order to continue to succeed it is important that the market meets the needs of the modern-day shopper as well as those with more traditional tastes.
"The major development we have planned for the Eastgate and Harewood Quarter will bring a much-needed revitalisation to this part of the city centre and it is vital that the market contributes to the city's future success."
The council, John Lewis and two developers, Hammerson and Town Centre Securities, recently unveiled plans to create a 100-shop retail development in the area near the market.
Developers are proposing to spend around £500m buying the land and transforming an area between Eastgate and Kirkgate Market, where a John Lewis department store will be at the heart of the new Harewood Quarter.
Kirkgate Market has around 200,000 visitors a week, many of whom are attracted by its historic buildings and which recently celebrated their centenary.
However following the fire in 1975 part of the market was devastated and new trading halls were built as a temporary measure.
These are now coming to the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced.
A report, to be considered by members of the authority's executive board on Wednesday, says it may be able to enter into a partnership with a developer to generate the cash needed to improve the market.
The ground floor would still be used for the market, but the authority believes space above the market could be transformed into offices and apartments.
joanne.ginley@ypn.co.uk

13 May 2005

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/13m-for-Leeds-markets-area.5892059.jp
£1.3m for Leeds markets area 'survival plan'
08 December 2009

Leeds City Council is applying for a £1.3m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to improve the area surrounding Kirkgate Market around Lower Kirkgate between the market and Warehouse Hill.

A business support scheme to help small, independent council business tenants during the recession will go before council chiefs tomorrow.

The Leeds City Council scheme is aimed at helping tenants in Kirkgate market and other markets, as well as those in estate shops and small council owned industrial units to survive the recession.

It will provide expert business advice and financial help with rents along with loans and grants to those eligible for support.

Council officers will present the scheme to members of the council's executive board who will be asked to approve the plans and to give the go-ahead for £250,000 which will be set aside for the scheme.

Members will also be asked to agree further funding to improve facilities and the overall environment at Kirkgate Market to make it more attractive for new and existing customers.

Suggestions include painting and refurbishing parts of the market and installing new customer rest areas with tables and seating, improved signage and market maps. The maps could be located inside the market and at other places in the city centre such as the train station, to promote the market and ensure that customers can find what they are looking for quickly. Further consultation will be undertaken with the market tenants.

Coun Andrew Carter, leader of the council and executive member responsible for city development, said: "In the current recession, a number of the council's small independent business tenants are facing hardship.

"Some simply need good independent business advice and business planning; others may require rental support, loans or grants.

"The aim of the scheme is to provide financial support and business advice to businesses willing to submit their accounts and agree a business plan with an independent business advisor. Every effort will be made to make this as simple as possible.

A copy of the full Business Support Scheme for the council's small business tenants and investment in Kirkgate Markets is available on the council's website, www.leeds.gov.uk.

What about the car park ? It's a shambles, how they can charge the money they charge, to park on what's best described a waste land, is disgusting...

Surly re-tarmacking the surface would give more spaces, although more entrances and exits are needed as getting out on a market night you could be sat there for hours.

What about the car park ? It's a shambles, how they can charge the money they charge, to park on what's best described a waste land, is disgusting...

Surly re-tarmacking the surface would give more spaces, although more entrances and exits are needed as getting out on a market night you could be sat there for hours.

What exactly would be the point of re-surfacing the Markets Car Park if that land is planned (eventually but who knows when) to be redeveloped for the Eastgate Quarters. Would there be no chance of any sort of phased construction on-top of the Markets car park as opposed to constructing Eastgate in one go as a way of building up this rather neglected end of the city centre (such as building a couple of buildings first perhaps as a de-facto extension of the Victoria Quarter facing towards Harewood Street with Sidney Street closed off to traffic to encourage pedestrian footfall).

As for the Market good news that there at least appears to be something finally done to improve the market although would this lottery funding be enough and would the traders themselves have much of a say in how the market should be improved and to make the market relevant for the 21st century and be seen once again as one of Leeds's assets? Isn't the council still raising rents on market stalls which sort of runs contary to what this plan for a lottery grant is all about?

Isn't there another Market's thread which this thread could merge into considering prior to today's newspaper article the last and only post on this thread is from 2005?

What exactly would be the point of re-surfacing the Markets Car Park if that land is planned (eventually but who knows when) to be redeveloped for the Eastgate Quarters. Would there be no chance of any sort of phased construction on-top of the Markets car park as opposed to constructing Eastgate in one go as a way of building up this rather neglected end of the city centre (such as building a couple of buildings first perhaps as a de-facto extension of the Victoria Quarter facing towards Harewood Street with Sidney Street closed off to traffic to encourage pedestrian footfall).


The fact that it is still a car park and needs to be fit for purpose and, as you say, there is little prospect of this changing any time soon. Phasing, or any other approach, would not seem to be considered viable by the developers given the total lack of activity.

What about the car park ? It's a shambles, how they can charge the money they charge, to park on what's best described a waste land, is disgusting...

It's an embarassment. Laying tarmac behind the Rosebowl has significantly improved that part of town. Eastgate Quarters won't happen for another seven years, if at all, so why not?

Fears over city market's survival prompt launch of campaign

Published Date:
20 April 2010
By Andrew Robinson

STALLHOLDERS fear that Leeds' historic Kirkgate Market may not survive unless urgent action is taken to boost investment and lower their overheads.

Traders have complained that many stalls have closed and they claim that a lack of long-term investment could lead to the market's ultimate closure.

Market traders will present their concerns to a meeting of Leeds Council tomorrow and a public meeting has been called by Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market on Monday, April 26.

Traders are being backed by the trade union GMB, which represents over 7,000 council staff.

GMB organiser Rachel Dix said: "It is a disgrace the way the traders have been treated by the present Tory/Liberal alliance in Leeds; they have plundered the extortionate rents and service charges paid by the traders and given very little back in terms of investment.

"Their lack of involvement is forcing stalls to close and many fear that long-term lack of investment to the fixtures and fittings of the market will lead to its closure and the selling off of valuable city centre land."

Leeds Council says it is working hard to improve the market and reduce the number of empty units, which currently stands at 64.

Traders are due to meet today to discuss a campaign strategy.

Issues that concern the traders include high rents and service charges, the number of empty stalls, the price of nearby parking and an alleged lack of investment causing the area to feel "run down".

Liz Laughton, of fishmonger R Bethells, said: "We want the market to survive. To do that it has to improve while retaining its character and purpose.

"The market has got to remain affordable and culturally diverse. Many people need the products that only the market stalls are able to provide at prices that they can afford. In order to maintain this service we need fair rents and a say in how the market is run."

Members of the campaign group Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market also fear that the market's future is in jeopardy.

A public meeting on Monday April 26 – from 5.30pm – at Holy Trinity Church, Boar Lane, Leeds, will launch the campaign.

Speakers will include Liz Laughton and representatives from Leeds Civic Trust and Friends of Queens Market, London.

The Friends is made up of market shoppers and includes lecturers at Leeds University among its leading lights. The Friends has just set up a Facebook site and has already attracted 71 supporters from the Leeds public.

Yesterday a spokeswoman for Leeds Council said the market had seen a drop in the number of empty units in the last year and money was being spent to take it forward.

She said: "The market has continued to grow in the past 12 months, and with £250,000 of capital funding having been made available over the next two years to undertake customer improvement on the market, it will continue to grow and improve.

"Our market service works very closely with the Leeds market traders both on an individual basis and collectively via the recently-formed Leeds branch of the National Market Traders Federation, who meet with market management on a regular basis.

"Traders views are being sought for the future improvements of the market, with regular meetings with the various parts of the market being conducted.

"At present there are 64 void units, five of which of these are in negotiations to let to new stall holders. We have seen a decrease in the number of void units in the last 12 months, and hope to see this continue over the next year." Yorkshire Post

Folks, sorry if this has been published here already but I just spotted this piece on the Leeds Initiative website:


Ministry of Food to come to Leeds

He's the celebrity chef who has made it his mission to bring healthy food to the masses. Now Jamie Oliver's latest Ministry of Food project is set to open in Leeds. It will be the third of the schemes which provide cookery courses, teaching people how to make healthy, balanced meals in a bid to tackle the nation's obesity crisis. It is estimated diseases related to people being overweight or obese will cost the NHS in Leeds £204.9m this year.

The city's Ministry of Food will be in Leeds Kirkgate Market – the first to be based in a market. Other schemes in Rotherham and Bradford offer morning and afternoon cooking lessons with a lunchtime cooking demonstration. A similar timetable may be developed in Leeds. Ten-week cookery courses will be delivered by staff trained by Jamie Oliver's team in a specially developed kitchen. Courses start with how to boil an egg and end with how to make the perfect Sunday roast. By using ingredients bought from the market, it is hoped participants will then pass on what they've learned to family and friends. This was a key part of the way Jamie taught cookery skills to the people of Rotherham through his TV series Jamie's Ministry of Food.

NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council have teamed up to create the facility, which will also provide a 'Health Point' to give health and lifestyle advice.Emma Croft, obesity, food and physical activity lead at NHS Leeds, said: "I am delighted the Ministry of Food project is coming to Leeds. It will be a great addition to the city, the market and all those that use it."Ministry of Food is all about getting people cooking again and to show that anyone can learn to cook healthy and nutritious meals on a budget."All the recipes demonstrated on site will use produce mostly bought from stalls in the market."This will support the sustainability of Kirkgate Market and ensure that people on the cookery courses can get everything they need to make the same meals at home."Coun Andrew Carter, leader of Leeds City Council and executive member responsible for Kirkgate Market, added: "This is a fantastic initiative which will be a great boost to Kirkgate Market."Everyone who shops there knows that the market sells some of the freshest and most varied food at the lowest prices."I am sure the market will extend a warm welcome to the Ministry of Food when it arrives in summer and that the project will be a huge success."

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/businessnews/Business-Bizaar-event-at-Leeds.6598834.jp
Business: 'Bizaar' event at Leeds Market
26 October 2010

Budding entrepreneurs now have a market for their bright business ideas, thanks to a new initiative launched in Leeds.

The Bizaar Quarter in Kirkgate Market has eight stalls available at reduced rents for anyone wanting to trial an idea or product for 12 weeks.

Businesses support will also be offered by the market team.

The new quarter builds on the successful How Bizaar stall, which was launched last year and is managed by Urban Biz, a social enterprise working to provide people with business and employment opportunities.

How Bizaar has helped more than 40 businesses test trade on the stall, three times the target set at the beginning of the scheme.

Entrepreneurs of all ages have showcased a range of products from retro vintage fashion to Swedish empathy dolls.

Leeds Central Labour MP Hilary Benn cut a ribbon to officially open the new quarter.

Coun Richard Lewis, the council's deputy leader, said: "The Bizaar Quarter is a fantastic addition to the market and will allow more budding businesses the opportunity to bring new and eclectic product ranges to the market."

Heard there was a fire some 20 years ago in the Kirkgate market, this I heard from a man in Nottingham when I told him im from Yorkshire. Someone care to elaborate on the damage caused and if it was fully rectified??? This was before I was born btw.

I like markets, but Leeds could do a lot better markets wise and charge less for parking opposite the markets, but on a purely profitable nature I dont see that happening this century. The green chippy on the outside of the markets does a good fish and chips, but "extortion" is what the chippy should be called for the prices. Never come across a chippy charge so much without a seating area.

It could do a lot better yes, although I don't think we should beat ourselves up about this too much. Leeds is already leagues ahead of Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield and Liverpool when it comes to markets.

The green chippy on the outside of the markets does a good fish and chips, but "extortion" is what the chippy should be called for the prices. Never come across a chippy charge so much without a seating area.

It's called Graveley's and I'm pretty sure they charge a pretty standard sort of price for fish and chips (circa £5.00). They're damn good fish and chips too.

It's called Graveley's and I'm pretty sure they charge a pretty standard sort of price for fish and chips (circa £5.00). They're damn good fish and chips too.

Nash's do Fish and Chips for £4.30, I'd have assumed Graveleys was cheaper. There's another chippy of suspect quality on the other side of the market doing them for around £3.50.

No where in Leeds does better fish and chips than the Trawler in drighlington up the A58.

Honestly, it's like whale and chips, very crispy, chips are just right...

You'll go back once you've been.

I find West and North Yorkshire in general are very, very good for fish and chips, in fact, it's rare I come across anywhere that does them particularly badly (and most seem to have won some kind of award - spurious though it seems). Ironically Harry Ramsdens is probably one of the main offenders for awfulness - small fish, leathery batter, dry chips. Murgatroyds on the other hand - almost unbeatable. Unfortunately, the south and their non lard frying tendencies tend to get it all very, very wrong, plus, I just don't rate cod as highly.

I find West and North Yorkshire in general are very, very good for fish and chips, in fact, it's rare I come across anywhere that does them particularly badly

The fact that the Federation of Fish Friers is headquartered in Leeds can't do any harm: http://www.federationoffishfriers.co.uk/

...........Unfortunately, the south and their non lard frying tendencies tend to get it all very, very wrong, plus, I just don't rate cod as highly.


Surely the best chips are cooked in dripping, aren't they?

Surely the best chips are cooked in dripping, aren't they?

Maybe I mean dripping then, they're not a million miles from each other.

No where in Leeds does better fish and chips than the Trawler in drighlington up the A58.

Honestly, it's like whale and chips, very crispy, chips are just right...

You'll go back once you've been.

I'll second that.

Heard there was a fire some 20 years ago in the Kirkgate market ... This was before I was born btw.

Were you expecting to be accused?

http://www.leodis.net/imagesLeodis/screen/74/2006911_161874.jpg

http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2006911_161874&DISPLAY=FULL

Were you expecting to be accused?

:lol:

From today's Evening Post:


New dawn for Leeds Kirkgate Market?

Published Date: 12 November 2010

A support group has been set up to help polish a jewel in Leeds's crown. Rod McPhee met the Friends of Kirkgate Market and explored the traders' fears – and their hopes.

With a silhouette of towering domes, extravagant gables and grand stone archways, it's a building which could have been lifted block by block from a Viennese square. It doesn't look like the kind of building you expect to find in Leeds, certainly not a market. But over the last century that's just what Loiners have taken for granted. It may boast an opulent Edwardian frontage and Victorian core, it may take up a huge block of the city centre, but it's started to merge into the mish-mash of classic and contemporary architecture.

Which is perhaps why Kirkgate Market has become something of a mish-mash itself. Inside stalls still offer the best fresh seafood, meat, fruit and vegetables. Specialist sellers offer African-Caribbean, continental, Polish and South African products you'll struggle to find elsewhere in the city. And the front trading hall remains a sight to behold. It's a palace of turn-of-the-century style – tiles, cast iron, carved wood and a vast glass ceiling providing natural light throughout the day.

But get past this area and the late 20th century addition to the rear is something of a sad sight. A vast metal warehouse devoid of character which is now peppered with empty units and disgruntled traders. While the rest of Leeds has enjoyed a renaissance, those who work in Leeds Kirkgate Market feel they've gone backwards to the dark ages. There's a stand off between the council, who run the market, and the tenants who, often begrudgingly, pay them rent.

Thankfully there's now a chance to stand back and take stock. The Friends of Kirkgate Market organisation was set up earlier this year with the aim of supporting the cause through a third-party organisation. Sara Gonzalez, a Leeds resident and a regular customer of the market, is one of the leaders of the organisation. She said: "We've seen similar groups formed for other markets around the country, particularly in London.

"In Brixton, for example, they've set up a support group and at Queens market in Newham they stopped the proposed construction of an Asda
supermarket there.

"So we felt that a similar body here in Leeds might help with some of the issues we are facing. They're different issues but just as important."

Perhaps the biggest issue they are up against is one of image. No one can question the quality of most of the products on Kirkgate but most Loiners either don't know it's there or think the market is a tad downmarket.

Which is particularly frustrating for the traders since they are increasingly being surrounded by a burgeoning population in the heart of Leeds. City living apartments stand just a few feet away from the entrance and house, purportedly, some 6,000 people within walking distance. And while the supermarket giants start to open more and more stores the market should also be getting a share, but aren't.

"Don't get us wrong," says Sara. "We don't want to have the market hijacked and turned into something purely for middle class people. We think the market should be somewhere people can come and buy cheap clothes and food and other products.

"But we do think it should be a real mix, something for everyone and we also think people should be made more aware of the quality of products here. Most of all we feel the environment should be improved to attract more people."

Liz Laughton is chair of the Leeds market traders federation and her family has been running her seafood stall for almost a century. She welcomes the formation of the Friends of Kirkgate Market as a means of improving their lot.

"We don't want to preserve the place as a museum but at the same time there are lots of old elements in here which could be enhanced." There are beautiful pillars behind the stalls which are boxed in and covered up, so let's uncover them, make them features, enhance the character of the place."

At first glance the central part of the market looks pretty bland, even though it should be one of the most beautiful sections. Over the years stalls have been expanded and modified and the old archways which line the thoroughfares – many of which are carved with the names of old stalls – have been painted over and covered up. A quick glance up confirms the huge potential currently masked by signage and layout.

While other landmarks like the Victoria Quarter, the Corn Exchange and the old Lewis's building on The Headrow have all been brought back to life with private investment, traders feel they're neglected by the local authority. "We just want to see what money we make for the council put back into the market," says Mrs Laughton. "And not just for us, but for the city – it would be a great investment.

"Instead we see the council borrowing millions of pounds to build things like Leeds Arena, which makes me sick quite frankly."

There have been numerous battles ongoing with the management of the markets and the council. In recent times it has become heavily politicised, but many of the gripes are about practical matters – for example, on butchers row, which has existed for decades – a hairdressers was controversially allowed to open between shops selling raw meat.

What The Friends of Kirkgate Market want to see most of all, they say, is some kind of long-term vision. Cliff Hocken runs Hayes with his wife, Michelle. The stall sells seafood, sandwiches and refreshments in the newer part of the market hall to the rear. His family have run the business for 130 years.

"Something has to be done," he says. "We can't go on like this. I think the worst part of it is the uncertainty. There are all kinds of rumours about this and that happening but nothing ever seems to happen, which is frustrating.

"I think there is actually a real opportunity to do something incredible to the markets. We have the Eastgate development being built just across the road and, if that's linked in correctly, then that could be a massive benefit to us.

"It could be the permanent solution we need because actually, since 1976, we've basically been existing in what should have been a temporary market and that, obviously, has to addressed.

"Everything seems to be coming together to create a potential turning point for the markets now. There are plans for neighbouring developments, more people living on our doorstep and, of course, the formation of the Friends of Kirkgate Market. It could be the start of something really good for us - but everyone has to get on board now."

It's interesting that the article and the traders quted make no mention of the fact that a markets manager has just been appointed, the first time that this post has been filled for a number of years.

Survey on your views regarding the market.

PLEASE: If you support my idea of pedestrianising Vicar Lane, and creating a new public square in front of the market, make this suggestion in the "Any other comments" section!!! :cheers: You'll need to justify the idea - I said it would stop the market being segregated from the shopping district by such a busy road, and the new square would become a tourist attraction, attracting more people to venture inside.

https://consult.leeds.gov.uk/leeds/KMS/elab.aspx

Survey on your views regarding the market.

PLEASE: If you support my idea of pedestrianising Vicar Lane, and creating a new public square in front of the market, make this suggestion in the "Any other comments" section!!! :cheers: You'll need to justify the idea - I said it would stop the market being segregated from the shopping district by such a busy road, and the new square would become a tourist attraction, attracting more people to venture inside.

https://consult.leeds.gov.uk/leeds/KMS/elab.aspx

This seems like a nice idea.

For ages many people on this site have suggested pedestrianising Vicar Lane. It seems vital to the long term health of the City Centre in my opinion, although it would require a complete shake up in public transport services in the city. Bus services would have to use the City Loop or a new link road to reach the bus station, or Kirkgate would have to take extra traffic.

It's a bit sad that Briggate was the street chosen to be pedestrianised- I think Vicar Lane is far more worthy.

Many of the buses that use Vicar Lane, including most of those coming from/going to Chapeltown Rd and Scott Hall Rd, do not go to the bus station and use VL as the most direct route through the city centre. I can't really see any feasible alternative to this other than a major diversion eastwards (onto the already very busy roads in the Bus Station/Playhouse area), or the creation of a new road with all the disruption and costs involved.

Could they not do what they have in spain where it's pedestrianised dig a tunnel under so it doesn't affect the route of the road?

Could they not do what they have in spain where it's pedestrianised dig a tunnel under so it doesn't affect the route of the road?

Ah the often talked about but mysterious 'they' who have tens of millions to spare for grandiose schemes :nuts:

Redirect the buses along George St, build a new bus lane (proposed as part of Eastgate anyway), inbetween the outdoor market and the bus station, then back along New York St. Pretty simple to implement.:cheers:

Yes, the only way I see it possible is to create a new link road behind Eastgate. St. Peters Street could easily replace Vicar Lane as the eastern flank of the Public Transport Box. Through traffic would need to be redirected onto Inner Ring Road stage 6 behind Quarry House which I'm sure can take more traffic.

Could they not do what they have in spain where it's pedestrianised dig a tunnel under so it doesn't affect the route of the road?

Two reasons:

1. Unlike Spain, we don't have any money (except for the ring-fenced wastage schemes).

2. Unlike most other countries, we cannot see beyond the end of our noses and have no concept of long-term planning. We go for the short-term, cheapo option.

Two reasons:

1. Unlike Spain, we don't have any money (except for the ring-fenced wastage schemes).

That a different Spain from the country who are felt to be in danger of defaulting on their sovereign debt? :dunno:

That a different Spain from the country who are felt to be in danger of defaulting on their sovereign debt? :dunno:

My message was ironic.

The point I am trying to make is that Britain still has lots of money, in my opinion, but we are experts at wasting it.

10,000 people have signed a petition to ask for Leeds City Council to secure the future of Kirkgate Market. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds39s-Kirkgate-Market-10000-sign.6706835.jp

Leeds's Kirkgate Market: 10,000 sign petition in support

Published Date: 31 January 2011
A petition calling on Leeds City Council to secure the future of Kirkgate Market has been signed by 10,000 people.
The petition was launched by campaign group Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market (FOLKM) and calls for greater involvement of traders in how the market is run, reduced rents and greater investment.

Spokeswoman Megan Waugh said: "This demonstrates the level of public support to improve the market as it is and the real need to change the management culture. The response shows the huge strength of feeling there is for the market and the important place it still has in people's lives."

The petition will be presented to the council on February 8.

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: "We are grateful to the public for their support towards the Friends of Kirkgate Market petition and welcome the receiving of the document – we would like to encourage anyone who signed the petition to also make their voice heard by filling in the consultation.

"We are looking to continue to develop the market and ongoing improvements are being put in place. The market definitely has a bright future."

Well I went in the market earlier today and there was certainly quite a few vacant units in there. Certainly something needs doing to help revitalise the market for Leeds considering it could potentially be one of its more unique attractions and there certainly has been a long time of inaction and neglect on the market on the part of the council in light of things such as constantly rising rent and rumours of yuppifying the market or selling it off to developers.

Well I went in the market earlier today and there was certainly quite a few vacant units in there. Certainly something needs doing to help revitalise the market for Leeds considering it could potentially be one of its more unique attractions and there certainly has been a long time of inaction and neglect on the market on the part of the council in light of things such as constantly rising rent and rumours of yuppifying the market or selling it off to developers.

Controversially, with the 'protests' going on down the road, I think what the market needs is a good dose of gentrification. Move the tatty stalls down into the lower end, retain many of the butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, but also introduce some specialised deli, bread and coffee stalls. I can't understand why this hasn't already begun to happen in such a beautiful space. Leeds's own Borough market.

Controversially, with the 'protests' going on down the road, I think what the market needs is a good dose of gentrification. Move the tatty stalls down into the lower end, retain many of the butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers, but also introduce some specialised deli, bread and coffee stalls. I can't understand why this hasn't already begun to happen in such a beautiful space. Leeds's own Borough market.

I was walking through there the other week and thinking to myself about this issue. I noticed a lot of foreign food shops opening up in the market and thought that it could thrive as a multicultural market really very well. It already hold the Leeds Asian Baazar on Wednesdays.

I noticed Chinese shops, polish shops and asian shops in there and I thought that it would be a really nice atmosphere to bring in all the different cultures we have got going on in Leeds to one area. Just my thoughts but I think it would be brilliant walking around and seeing, tasting and smelling the different foods, listening to the different music, trying each cultures clothes and really taking in all the other cultures in Leeds.

There could be halal butches and Kosher butchers alongside the regular butchers, Asian music stores playing bollywood films, jewish bakerys supplying fresh bread, Indian green grocers alongside regular green grocers, Indian sweet shops alongside english sweet shops etc.. obviously not just these cultures involved but others, German, French, Italian....

We always go on about having a chinatown like other cities, but who needs chinatown when we could have this.. it would be so unique to Leeds as well.. after all everyone says we don't want to be another 'Samesville'

I was walking through there the other week and thinking to myself about this issue. I noticed a lot of foreign food shops opening up in the market and thought that it could thrive as a multicultural market really very well. It already hold the Leeds Asian Baazar on Wednesdays.

I noticed Chinese shops, polish shops and asian shops in there and I thought that it would be a really nice atmosphere to bring in all the different cultures we have got going on in Leeds to one area. Just my thoughts but I think it would be brilliant walking around and seeing, tasting and smelling the different foods, listening to the different music, trying each cultures clothes and really taking in all the other cultures in Leeds.

There could be halal butches and Kosher butchers alongside the regular butchers, Asian music stores playing bollywood films, jewish bakerys supplying fresh bread, Indian green grocers alongside regular green grocers, Indian sweet shops alongside english sweet shops etc.. obviously not just these cultures involved but others, German, French, Italian....

We always go on about having a chinatown like other cities, but who needs chinatown when we could have this.. it would be so unique to Leeds as well.. after all everyone says we don't want to be another 'Samesville'

Couldn't agree more. It would be a great concept and a real USP for the city. As Oyster says, it would be similar to Borough market, and you only have to try and walk around there on a Friday or Saturday to see how amazingly success it is!

Market Traders call for action from Leeds City Council with rent demands for some units up to £10,000 per month. http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2011/mar/09/leeds-kirkgate-market-traders-call-for-action-from-council

Leeds Kirkgate Market traders call for action from council

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/5/4/1273013213274/leeds-kirkgate-market-ext-001.jpg
"Some of the rents being asked are simply staggering, some of the empty stalls are £10,000 a month to let and some are in a shocking state of repair. You would have to sell a lot of cooked chickens to make £10,000 in a month, let me tell you." - John Procter

leeds kirkgate market exterior Leeds Kirkgate Market needs fresh investment, traders have said Photograph: John Baron/guardian.co.uk

Traders are calling for more action and less talk over the future of Leeds Kirkgate Market.

Jo Williams of the National Market Traders Federation told the fourth day of a council watchdog inquiry into the future of the struggling facilities that a promised strategy for the future of the market still hadn't been released. Telling the council to 'wake up', she said:

"We don't seem to be moving forward - we are asking the same questions and not getting anywhere. The market has some dire weaknesses and they're not being sorted out."

Williams said the council wasn't listening to traders' concerns regarding the effect the proposed Eastgate Quarters retail development could have on trade.

She also called for the city's markets to have their own markets department and be seperate from the wider-ranging city development department.

Councillor Gerry Harper, who chairs the newly-founded Markets Forum recently sampled life as a market trader for the day. He said the forum - made up of traders, councillors and market management - had had a 'frank and wide-ranging discussion' about the market. He said:

"We discussed how the market could improve, what is the best way forward and the potential impact of Eastgate on the market. We discussed financing the maintenance of the building and how money raised from market isn't ring-fenced and how it could be put back into the market to improve services for the public and traders.

"I found it a useful meeting and hope we can move forward in the future."


New markets manager Sue Burgess said the market wasn't at a standstill, that the strategy was due imminently and that the council was working hard to attract more traders with a different offering to what was already there, encouraging micro-businesses to set up and encouraging more coach companies to run trips to the market.

Chairman of the city development scrutiny board, John Procter, said he spent a day as a trader earlier this week and said he was 'surprised, shocked and astounded' at some of the issues he'd seen. He said the issues over the markets 'ageing' customers was a 'red-herring' as most of the people he'd served were young peopel and students. Procter added:

"Some of the rents that are being asked are simply staggering, some of the empty stalls are £10,000 a month to let and some are in a shocking state of repair. You would have to sell a lot of cooked chickens to make £10,000 in a month, let me tell you. Traders just want to go back into a position where they were years ago."

The board will meet again next month to formalise its observations and rtecommendations from the inquiry. The report will then go to the council's decision-making executive board for members to consider the recommendations.

Ouch. With such high monthly rents for such small units in poor condition then it is no wonder that the market is on a slow decline. Certainly something other than endless plans or consultations is needed to reverse the fortunes of Kirkgate Market.

There's a very good discussion on the CultureVultures website about the way forward for the market. It's always busy when ever I go in the market, but I agree with some points made in that discussion. It needs better signposting inside as the layout is confusing apart from the meat and fish areas. Parking charges need to be lower, opening hours could be longer for those who want to call after work, more than a bit cluttered inside and a bit rough round the outside edges. I have also heard that the food products while cheap are basic, and there is nobody selling free range chicken products or fresh bread.

Video from Martin Wainwright on The Guardian about Leeds Market

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/video/2011/apr/15/leeds-yorkshire

Beat me to it no1, Martin Wainwiright's affectionate tribute to Leeds Market is well worth a look.

This sort of approach and branding is a step in the right direction. I just hope those stalls match that though.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2011/apr/22/stall-to-be-the-source-of-information-at-leeds-kirkgate-market

Interesting news about market promotion.

http://theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/radar/the-source/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-13361531

Article on options being put forward for consideration. Ridiculously, one idea is to reduce its size. It has problems but it still generates a lot of cash for the council which they don't reinvest in the market. There is also no strategy for the market at present. Surely, reducing its size should only be considered after trying to attract new start-ups and investing money in improving the market halls.

I would support the physical shrinking of the market area in order to increase space at the back of the market. This would allow for a good sized public green space.

I say physical shrinking because I think investment could be more focused to allow for a higher quality market by way of opening the upper level of the Edwardian Hall. The other halls could have extensive restoration while a new high quality structure can house the other stalls. So overall, the number of stalls wouldn't reduce particularly, but quality would increase loads as less could be spent on more.

http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=5185&T=10

Draft scrutiny board report about Kirkgate Market (starts at page 67).

For more info click here (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=464&MId=5185&Ver=4)

All in all a very poor report. It does not clearly define the current customer or the prospective customer. It does not identify what their needs are and whether the market currently meets them. It does not provide any information on the expected number of empty stalls at different stages of the economic cycle. No quality information on returns on investment in the market or cost to service it.

Theres no hope for the market tbh. There are stalls that sell crap while others sell a good range of food/clothing etc. There are too many stalls, and who's to say a stall selling phone covers isn't as good as a stall selling fresh fruit and veg? After all they provide an income for the stall owner.
The problem lies in the quantity of stalls, and that can't be sorted out by decreasing the size of the market.
I'm afraid we are at a loose at end. The only solution is to move the market. The space is valuable land, which, (arguably) could be used by far more people. No doubt if that was too occur there would be 'up-roar' for those who use the market. Added by any improvements on site still wouldn't attract trade as the perception is that it sells 'tat' and there is 'high crime'. I personally haven't seen any crime, although there have been some dodgy looking folk around, I know some of my friends won't go in- in-case they are robbed.

LONG LIVE LEEDS MARKET!

I also know people who avoid going through the market through fear of crime. However, I think it's a false reputation.

I also disagree the market needs to be moved. It just needs to be more focused with the Edwardian Hall brought into full use. I don't see why it couldn't support a Covent-Garden-style market; successful seasonal markets run through Artsmix, Christkindlmarkt and at the Granary Wharf Pannier Markets.

I would rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building be used for something else then some grotty market.

I do almost all my food shopping at Kirkgate Market. The range is excellent and fresh and I know I can go there for just about any ingredient I require, no matter how exotic the dish. The traders are a mine of information about their produce and are happy to advise on preparation and cooking.

The prices are much lower than in the supermarkets. The money spent there stays in the local economy, not going straight to a multinational or conglomerate.

I have done my shopping there for well over twenty years on a regular basis and have never been robbed. However, I HAVE saved literally thousands of pounds because of the prices there.


In the current fiscal climate, the market is vital to the economically viable supply of fresh fruit and vegetables for the local population.

Lastly, shopping in a supermarket is really boring and something I regard as a mundane and unpleasant chore. When I go to the market, I _talk_ with people who, over the years, have become friends.

I would rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building be used for something else then some grotty market.

Wonderful. Let's fill it with offices immediately. Or more branches of Starbucks. Or flats for 'city living'.

But you're right: the very last thing the city centre needs is a colourful agglomeration of quirky shops, entrepreneurs, multi-ethnic food and cultural supplies and poor people shopping for their hilariously cheap and unfashionable clothes and homeware.

I would rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building be used for something else then some grotty market.

I'd rather see the market improved to match the building.

I would rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building be used for something else then some grotty market.

I'd rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building used for a stunning market.

The market is a mixed bag - sells somne good quality, well priced, food that is preferable to the supermarkets, but also a lot of uninspiring stuff. Other than the issue of layout, it needs to broaden its horizons. Attract customers who want high end food - this does not mean gentrification. In addition to those selling specialist Eastern European, Carribbean and Asian foods.

Open later so those living in the city centre can go on the way home. Why can't it attract 'vintage' clothing retailers to draw in a younger crowd? Expand community services on the back of the success of the Ministry of Food outlet.

Internally it needs a refit, but that should be easy to finance considering the money it generates.

I'd rather see the stunning Kirkgate Market building used for a stunning market.

Completely agree.

carpsio and tonyls6 - I agree in principle with what you're saying but do you not think the market needs to change with the times a little? If you don't, then I'm afraid your business plan is destined to fail.

As Freddy says, the market needs to open later (and indeed on Sundays) to accommodate those that have jobs. I walked past the market yesterday in need of a niche chilli sauce but of course was unable to shop there.

I've personally never witnessed any sort of crime in there and, in fact, that's the first I've heard of it so sounds like a very limited problem existing in the minds of a few. However, the lower section of the market is a very unattractive place, desperately in need of some investment, and even the main old hall needs a good clean and some money spent on the stalls.

A splash of gentrification is what's needed, but not so much that it destroys the best of what the market already offers - and what's wrong with trying to increase overall footfall by attracting different demographics to visit? That's just inverted snobbery.

It's a shame the "friends" of the market are putting so much time and effort into fighting nearby developments because all that hard work would undoubtedly be better spent transforming the market into a place for everyone in the city. All the ingredients and demand already exists but instead they choose to ignore it and lash out and blame others. If they did concentrate their time and effort into improving things in there they'd probably have a thriving market operating in time for the opening of Eastgate (which economy permitting likely will be built), instead, the market will just be even deeper trouble.

Completely agree.


A splash of gentrification is what's needed, but not so much that it destroys the best of what the market already offers - and what's wrong with trying to increase overall footfall by attracting different demographics to visit? That's just inverted snobbery.




Good point - snobbery is playing a big part in the discussion of the market, but snobbery both ways. There are those that see it as a place where undesirables shop (which it isn't) and those that seem desperate to keep out more 'high end' goods (which it needs). Neither approach is helpful; it needs to build on what works and add to that, attracting a wider clientele while maintaining the existing one. There is no reason that can't work.

When visiting European cities one of the places I always head is the market hall (Budapest is a good example), it gives a good overall impression of a place and its culture, its full of locals and usually offers cheap, local food. If Leeds is to build as a tourist centre it should look to make the market a part of this, its one of the things that makes the place unique.

I think the concerns regarding Eastgate are valid, but again aren't a reflection of the present day. The loss of parking isn't great, but there will be increased footfall and not everyone drives into city centres these days, people actually live in them.

I'm also puzzled by this fear of crime that some people have talked about. I've never had any problems myself. It all sounds vaguely reminiscent of the talk about undesirables hanging around the Corn Exchange a few years ago. I just hope that any changes that are made don't throw the markets into some kind of limbo like the one that happened to said Corn Exchange for a period.

Well as I say, I'm not sure it's down to any reality- I just don't the market 'feels' particularly welcoming or safe. It's a claustrophobic warren that can be quite intimidating for some. Compare that feel to the nice, brightly lit, spacious aisles of the high street stores.

I've never felted that the markets are unsafe (of the very few times I've ventured into to them) but they're not nice or desirable places to shop, simple as.

Completely agree.

carpsio and tonyls6 - I agree in principle with what you're saying but do you not think the market needs to change with the times a little? If you don't, then I'm afraid your business plan is destined to fail.

A splash of gentrification is what's needed, but not so much that it destroys the best of what the market already offers - and what's wrong with trying to increase overall footfall by attracting different demographics to visit? That's just inverted snobbery.

And I completely agree with that. For the main part :)

I do worry slightly, however, that moves to drive everything upmarket (pun?) in the city centre can further entrench the increasing social divisions we've seen over recent years.

The bus station is right on the back of the market - which is perfect for loads of people who can't afford a car (or even the parking!) to drop into town and do some shopping. Should the market become yet another middle class haven for olive importers, fancy-dan independent boutiques, high class delicatessens and the like it would be a tragedy and leave other people with the "option" of a schlep to Netto.

I see some people are even saying they find the market "threatening." It's part of the same awful trend that has people leaping behind their sofa every time a teenager cycles past the house or feeling pretty chipper about being able to slag people off for being "chavs" because it's an acceptable way of saying you don't like poor people. I'm not blaming anyone for feeling that way, but the media and the ruling classes like nothing better than finding some powerless strata they can kick around at will for our entertainment - and it certainly doesn't add much dignity or enhance our sense of common humanity.

Gentrification has to be done *very* carefully: recall us to The Corn Exchange and the original Granary Wharf for examples of ill-advised 'improvements' that actually destroyed charming and unique institutions of the city centre ostensibly to attract a better class of clientèle.

The fact that the city centre plays host to a market stall selling knock-off fridges for £50 within spitting distance of Harvey Nicks is no bad thing you know :)

The demonisation of the poor is part of a wider trend to reshape society, rather than done so for our entertainment. But I agree that people's attitudes toward the market are a worrying symptom of this.

I find the atmosphere in the market much friendlier than Harvey Nicks.

The demonisation of the poor is part of a wider trend to reshape society, rather than done so for our entertainment. But I agree that people's attitudes toward the market are a worrying symptom of this.

I find the atmosphere in the market much friendlier than Harvey Nicks.

I think that rather depends how much you spend in Harvey Nichols :)

I agree with you and carpsio though about some of the comments being made about the market and the people who frequent it. It reminds me of the woman living in a nice house facing Roundhay Park. She rang in to a radio talk show to complain about the events the council were putting on in the park and the kind of people the events were attracting. Someone promptly rang in to remind the woman that the council had bought the land for the park to provide recreation and entertainment for precisely the people she was decrying.

The demonisation of the poor is part of a wider trend to reshape society, rather than done so for our entertainment. But I agree that people's attitudes toward the market are a worrying symptom of this.

I think there is a view by some that that 'the poor' are all 'lazy layabout dole scroungers' when in fact a lot of people who might be considered 'the poor' work hard for a low wage.

Quite right. I'm a great believer in education myself but that doesn't mean I despise everybody who hasn't got a degree. To be honest, I can't say that being educated has exactly made me a millionaire - in fact I have quite a low income. Does this mean I'm an educated Chav?

There's a difference between providing cheap food and affordable everyday products and becoming a haven of dodgy mobile phone shops and kebab stalls...

There's a difference between providing cheap food and affordable everyday products and becoming a haven of dodgy mobile phone shops and kebab stalls...

Meh. We'll just bung in a Tesco then :)

There's a difference between providing cheap food and affordable everyday products and becoming a haven of dodgy mobile phone shops and kebab stalls...

There is - and for me the market has just about got this balance right at the moment. It needs to add some extras into the mix and improve the layout as discussed.

The whole point of a market is that it sells a vast range of products, introducing some new stalls doesn't mean abandoning everything else. There will always be some stuff that people consider crap, but thats part of the fun of exploring.

Looks like the council were pretty close to submitting a John Thorp inspired outline application to redevelop Leeds Kirkgate Market to coincide with the first Eastgate proposal in 2008. It would have incorporated the Jobcentre currently on Eastgate...

Click on the link in the article regarding Hammersons meetings with LCC and go to page 27. (http://kirkgatemarket.wordpress.com/2011/07/12/eastgate-megaproject-approved-but-market-must-be-integrated/)

Went to Barcelona recently and visited their market. Fantastic place - really pulled in the tourists but at the same time was a place locals went to buy their everyday food. Loved the idea of lots of people sitting up at the bars of the food stalls eating, and they could even have a little beer or wine if they wanted. Not that that would work in Leeds...

Went to Barcelona recently and visited their market. Fantastic place - really pulled in the tourists but at the same time was a place locals went to buy their everyday food. Loved the idea of lots of people sitting up at the bars of the food stalls eating, and they could even have a little beer or wine if they wanted. Not that that would work in Leeds...

Mhm, since comparing Leeds to Barcelona is totally fair. ;)

I went to the markets last week and it wasn't too bad really, it was busy, people did eat there. It does pong a bit though :D

Mhm, since comparing Leeds to Barcelona is totally fair. ;)

I went to the markets last week and it wasn't too bad really, it was busy, people did eat there. It does pong a bit though :D

Well to be fair, the architecture of both the markets is really spectacular (at least the front end of Leeds', anyway). Barcelona market pongs too a bit - it's full of stalls selling smelly cheeses, those big legs of Spanish ham etc.

Visited Leeds Market for the first time in ages recently and was cheered to see the council have done a little bit to try and brand certain parts of it and brighten it up, but still lots more to do. Also disappointed to see that the Polish and Greek food stalls in the historic bit of the market seem to have disappeared and been replaced by some more generic cafe type places.

It's an absolute travesty that the market is not being used to its full potnential. It could be an absolute goldmine.

I'm still strugging to understand how the Eastage Quarter could have a negative effect on Kirkgate Market. Help me out here, what exactly are the potential pitfalls?? From what I can see on the North side of the market there is a makeshift car park/wasteland, on the East Side The Loop Road, the South Side, erm, Kirkgate which (I think) provides nothing for the Market and Vicar Lane on The East which gives access to the Arcades. What is the problem? Anyone any ideas?

I'm still strugging to understand how the Eastage Quarter could have a negative effect on Kirkgate Market. Help me out here, what exactly are the potential pitfalls?? From what I can see on the North side of the market there is a makeshift car park/wasteland, on the East Side The Loop Road, the South Side, erm, Kirkgate which (I think) provides nothing for the Market and Vicar Lane on The East which gives access to the Arcades. What is the problem? Anyone any ideas?

This is why the Friends of Kirkgate market argument makes no sense; the argument is that George street will become a barrier due to traffic flows seperating it from the Eastgate scheme. Yet, at present there is no traffic but nothing to be cut off from, just a surface level car park. If they were existing pedestrian flows from here currently, the argument might have some basis.

I suppose the only real argument is that they will be losing parking, but I would imagine that few people drive to the market at present and their is the Markets NCP too.

I've looked at the council's reply to FOLKM's FOI request about proposals for the market and here is what I found:

The council were preparing a John Thorp inspired outlline application for the market in 2008. There were 2 preplanning presentations to the panel in 2007 and 2008. The main gist is that the application would recommend that the 1979/81 hall and the outside market be replaced by a new glass roofed hall.

To help fund the new hall some non market buildings would be incorporated along George Street. The traders at the time were supportive of non-market buildings to be incorporated into the development. The NE building would be a landmark piece of architecture. One major tenant, the Jobcentre, had been signed up in principle. This was because the initial outline planning application for Eastgate meant the demolition of the Eastgate Jobcentre.

The outline application has not seen the light of day. I presume because the Eastgate scheme was shelved. If the application is to be taken forward I guess the Jobcentre will not form part of it as the existing one is outside the new proposal for Eastgate.

Opening up the balcony in the 1904 building would form part of the proposal. This would be for a specific purpose rather than just as a spectating area. The 1875 block shops would form a key part of the new hall with the ninth one being rebuilt. I have never noticed these before! Butchers Row and Fish Row would be retained.

NGT would lead to 58 stalls being lost in the outside market to make way for the markets terminus. There would be additional MSCP for market customers. They were deliberating whether to incorporate an underground servicing area for the market. The main issue on whether to implement this was disruption being caused to current traders.

The overall cost to the Council for the development was estimated at just under £30mn. I've recently seen estimates of £20mn for the redevelopment of the market.

There are a few things I'm confused about. Firstly, in the presentations there was discussion about number of outside stalls after the development. However, the proposals seem to indicate it will all be indoors. I'm not sure whether they were talking about the outside market as a concept (Nb different type of letting) rather than a physical presence. Secondly, the plans do not appear to indicate where the new car park will be. Thirdly, it isn't clear what impact it will have to the number of stalls.

One thing became abundantly clear when looking at the proposals. The proposed street in the Eastgate scheme running in front of the new John Lewis, from Eastgate to George Street, would connect with the position of the new NE entrance to the proposed redevelopment of the market hall.

Finally, any proposal would be subject to a full public consulation before outline planning.

Here is the link (http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/leeds_city_council_hammerson_and#incoming-191458) to the FOI request

A new "shop and drop" scheme in Kirkgate Market has been introduced to tempt more shoppers to use its stalls.

Customers will be able to leave shopping in a new, secure chill room at the Leeds market.

BBC Leeds - Kirkgate Market introduces new 'shop and drop' scheme (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-14186445)

Seeing as the Council owns the market, I fail to see how FOLKM can think Eastgate would have a 'negative' effect - it's not like the stalls are owned by corporate landlords who would 'gentrify' it accordingly.

If anything, S106 agreements from Eastgate should go to subsidising rents in the market and improving the quality of the environment there.

Discussion by Leeds City Council over the future of Leeds Kirkgate Market tomorrow with issues including the potential reduction in trading space and change of ownership from the council to an arms length management company. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/leeds_market_s_future_put_under_the_spotlight_1_3614867

Well I would certainly be against any reduction of the market and change of ownership imo considering Kirkgate Market is certainly an asset the council have neglected to some degree in recent years.

Surely the best way forward would be to encourage custom from as wide a selection of the public from Leeds and further afield as possible and to genuinely give Leeds a landmark that it is proud of.

Why would you be against a change of ownership if you then criticise the way it has been run and neglected?

I would not be against a change of ownership from the council to another body/private company. The council should focus on what it needs to do and do it well- ie improving public realm etc, rather than trying to control anything and everything in the city. Sometimes I feel it is the council doing everything when really it should be other organisations or businesses heading things up. I mean physical things like the markets or the museums through to attractions like the Leeds Lights and events like Party in the Park. None of those things need to be council organised or council funded- in fact in many places they're not.

I'm for a reduction in the size of the footprint of the market, but not necessarily a reduction in stalls. They should open the balcony level of the market to replace displaced stalls from the Open Market. The 1970s market halls need demolishing and rebuilding with some sort of design- ie not sheds. The former open market could then be used for a new public square, potentially incorporating green space. That would compliment the market, Eastgate and provide a better welcome from the bus station.

I would not be against a change of ownership from the council to another body/private company.

The talk is of creating an arms length management company (in the manner of East North East Homes etc), not a private company.

I'd support the idea of an ALMO, as it'd give the market management more flexibility whilst keeping the markets in public ownership. I'd be dead against the idea of privatising the markets. Whilst the traders currently complain rents are too high, a private operator would be even more inclined to raise these unexpectedly, and wouldn't be accountable to the electorate in the same way.

Plenty of national examples of privatised markets driving away stallholders.

Yeah I know, I'm saying conditionally.

I support running it at an arms-length also.

Interesting article about the markets future in Saturdays YEP.

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/leeds_kirkgate_market_visitors_boost_1_3829929

There were incredible scenes down at the Market on Friday (September 30) as traders staged a spontaneous protest after being shut out of a Council press briefing to discuss the future of the market.

Late on Thursday afternoon traders discovered that a press briefing was being held in the market the following day. The meeting, called by the Council’s ‘Markets Champion’ Councillor Harper (pictured left) was to discuss details of “…how the proposals for the future of the market are taking shape.”

This bizarre move to bypass traders and provide information first to the media, came...

FOLKM home page for more (http://kirkgatemarket.wordpress.com/)

Oh dear. Certainly isn't good news to see the Council snub the market traders id have thought considering the traders must surely and obviously play a strong role in the day to day operations of the market.

I wonder if they will try and encourage some stall holders in the 'new' market to relocate into the main market hall. This would then fill the main market hall making for a better shopping experience and atmosphere. They could then reduce the size of the new hall and extend the open market further up.

I don't particularly agree with their divisive and negative approach at times but FOLKM have some tenacity (http://kirkgatemarket.wordpress.com/):

‘Independent Consultants’ Conflict of Interest
November 6, 2011
by kirkgatemarket

The council’s plan to shrink and privatise Leeds Kirkgate Market has taken another twist after it was revealed that the ‘independent consultant’ hired to advise on the Market’s future is actually a business specialising in turning traditional local authority markets into high-end food halls.

Last month, Leeds City Council announced it was seeking to hire specialist consultants to look into the ‘optimum size’ of the Market as well as explore options for private sector involvement in its management and ownership.

Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market has now discovered that the contract has been awarded to Quarterbridge Project Management Ltd, a company whose previous clients include Eastgate developer Hammerson, and the Dutch developer, MAB, whose controversial plans move Kirkgate Market into underground hall were fought off by mass public opposition in the 1980s.

A spokesperson for Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market said: “Bringing in outside expertise to help make decisions is one thing, but awarding the contract to a private company which specialises in running markets is clearly a conflict of interest at the very least. How can we trust that Quarterbridge will be ‘independent’ when they could be writing themselves a profitable role in the future of our market?”

We are calling on Leeds City Council and the directors of Quarterbridge to provide assurances, in writing, that neither Quarterbridge nor any of its subsidiary companies, have any interest, beyond their current role as consultants, in any aspect of the future redevelopment and management of Kirkgate Market. If they are not prepared or able to provide such reassurances then serious questions should be asked about how and why the decision to appoint Quarterbridge was made.

The brief that Quarterbridge Ltd will be working to does not require them to undertake any form of consultation with either traders or market shoppers.

The council are expecting final reports and recommendations for the future of the market to be delivered by the end of January 2012.

Despite the fact that the brief calls for detailed financial work and substantial soft market testing, the fee for three months work is just £12,400. This is an incredibly low figure for private consultants and raises more questions than it answers about why this company has accepted this particular piece of work.

Kirkgate Market

Riordan said that Kirkgate Market was a jewel that had suffered from underinvestment from successive council administrations of different political persuasions for years, but there was now a cross-party view that more needed to be done to restore it to its former glory. He said:

“It’s clear that it cannot stay as it is, we have to change it and we need to tackle the issues it faces head on. We need to make it a market that people from across Europe will want to come to. We have a fantastic building there.

“We have to ask how can we make it a bigger draw and making it a place where lots of different things are happening - that doesn’t mean gentrifying it, but we do need to change it.”

Riordan said he would ‘love’ Kirkgate Market to be a tourist attraction ‘and we are in discussions about that’ and be ‘a place people want to come to again and do a range of things’.

Reported by South Leeds Life (http://southleedslife.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/council-chief-promises-talks-on-future-of-tetley-brewery-site-and-talks-kirkgate-market-ngt-and-leeds-arena/)

Taken from the report (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=61996) to Scrutiny Board (Regeneration):

Voids are measured, as is common practice throughout the markets industry, in Stall Days Lost (SDL). In summary, voids have risen overall from 16.86 % last reported, to 17.52% to October 09 2011. Figures have been steadily increasing since first
reported to Scrutiny when they were just over 14%. This is to be expected due to
recessionary factors and it should be noted that the Market is still on a par with the
city centre which when last reported (Nov 2010) was 16.8%.

So the market voids are par for the course with general retail in the city.

Here for the full agenda (http://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=800&MId=5305&Ver=4) of the next meeting of the Regeneration Scrutiny Board

Has anyone else noticed how awful the Market car park is? I was just stuck in there, trying to get out, for about 3 hours.

Has anyone else noticed how awful the Market car park is? I was just stuck in there, trying to get out, for about 3 hours.

That's one of the festive promotions, Treacle Tyre Tuesdays.

COUNCIL'S MARKET DEAL HOPES

If backing is given public talks can then begin and efforts can be made to see if developers are interested in partnering Leeds City Council to generate an estimated £20m needed to carry out improvements to Kirkgate Market and secure its future.
2005


In the long term, does the market make a profit of loss for Leeds City Council?

Apart from it being a really old building, there is no reason for it being loss making. The market in the piece Hall in Halifax closed was down, what other towns in the area have council owned markets?

They may have shut Piece Hall Market, haven't heard about it, but did they shut the Halifax Borough Market Hall? No.

Pretty much every other town round here has council owned markets, but most of the old market halls haven't survived.

The YEP has a report (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/leeds_kirkgate_market_should_be_cut_by_25_per_cent_1_4136345) on the findings of a study commissioned by the city council on developing a sustainable future for the market. The study envisages a 25% reduction in the size of the market which would result a some of the land currently occupied by the open-air market being sold for redevelopment.

The full text of the study can be found on the market's website (http://www.leedsmarkets.co.uk/sites/default/files/11.12.14.QuarterbridgeReport.pdf).

The YEP has a report (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/leeds_kirkgate_market_should_be_cut_by_25_per_cent_1_4136345) on the findings of a study commissioned by the city council on developing a sustainable future for the market. The study envisages a 25% reduction in the size of the market which would result a some of the land currently occupied by the open-air market being sold for redevelopment.

The full text of the study can be found on the market's website (http://www.leedsmarkets.co.uk/sites/default/files/11.12.14.QuarterbridgeReport.pdf).

Would certainly be a shame to see a reduction in the size of the Leeds market although surely something major would need to be done to return it to it's past glory. Surely the main thing would be to aim the market at a much broader range of the Leeds population and visitors to Leeds in particular high earners perhaps by having things such as more farmers markets, antique markets, and more trendy stalls and the like.

Would certainly be a shame to see a reduction in the size of the Leeds market although surely something major would need to be done to return it to it's past glory.

I had a look around the market in Otley last week, it looked very popular and selling a wide range of goods. I would think that roadside stall, like the ones in Otley, would be very cheap to rent. I was almost supprised that health n safety hadnt closed it down already.

Published on Wednesday 18 January 2012 06:45

A consultant’s report drawn up to help shape the future of Leeds’s historic Kirkgate Market has come under fire just days after its publication.

Traders and councillors have raised a string of concerns over the report whose key recommendations include reducing the size of the market, handing control to a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) – effectively a limited company – and granting the LLP a 99-year lease.

It puts forward two possible redevelopment options. Under the preferred one, the 1976 building would be demolished and replaced with a new market hall and service basement.

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The 1981 building would then be knocked down and the outdoor market relocated onto the site.

The current outdoor market site would then be available for redevelopment.

The report says the plans put forward allow for a “tenant reselection process” and tenants reselected may be relocated to a different part of the market.

It has been suggested investment in the market of about £30m would be needed, with private sector partners providing £20m and the council £10m.

Liz Laughton, a market trader, told the council’s Regeneration Scrutiny Board: “The report shows no understanding of what a market is. Its sole interest is in raising the maximum return for the partners.”

She warned that traders could face a massive increase in overheads making it difficult for them to provide competitively priced goods.

Board members agreed to forward a range of concerns to the council’s Executive Board, which next month will discuss the report produced by Quarterbridge Project Management Ltd.

They include insufficient exploration of other management models, the idea of tenant reselection and the length of the suggested lease, which at 99 years was judged “inappropriate”.

YEP (http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/central-leeds/report_on_future_of_leeds_kirkgate_market_sparks_fears_1_4151550)

It may not be what it was. It may not be to everyones tastes. It has room for improvement. It has been neglected from a re-investment perspective. But it stills makes a £2mn annual profit and has a lower vacancy rate than the rest of the city centre.

Anyone remember the 1986 http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/2087/mabdesignfornewkirkgate.jpgproposal by dutch developers MAB to build a 'Leeds look' type extension on the tin shed part?, it was refused by the council after Prince Charles had commented that the scheme was 'too big', for little old Leeds.

Looks like it would have been a good move for the time; although I can see that would be dated now- albeit better than what we have.

Leeds City Council is inviting comments on proposals to modernise Kirkgate Market and manage it through a private sector partnership. The proposals are contained in an independent report into the future of the 7-acre city centre site commissioned from market consultants Quarterbridge.

markettradenews (http://markettradenews.wordpress.com/2012/01/27/leeds-invites-feedback-on-quarterbridge-proposals/)

Traders react to proposals to revamp the Leeds Kirkgate Market: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16815330

Can't see what exactly would be wrong with appealing the market to more affulent people (surely it would be great at encouraging custom and ensuring the market has a long term future) provided it doesn't lose it's traditional working class customer base. Certainly something would need doing to make it more of an attraction and destination which would come from offering something for everyone, having rents which are affordable and perhaps building ontop of excess land for things such as offices and apartments.