Leeds Kirkgate Market

[SirCWilson]

http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?r...4&DISPLAY=FULL

[di Livio]

Originally Posted by SirCWilson

Were you expecting to be accused?

[aviator]

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.

[LeedsLad]

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!!! 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

[Harpal]

Originally Posted by LeedsLad

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!!! 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.

[Leeds No.1]

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.

[Leeds1972]

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.

[pss53]

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?

[Smoggie_Si]

Originally Posted by pss53

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

[LeedsLad]

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.

[Leeds No.1]

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.

[John Robinson]

Originally Posted by pss53

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.

[Smoggie_Si]

Originally Posted by John Robinson

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?

[John Robinson]

Originally Posted by Smoggie_Si

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

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.

[Val Verde]

10,000 people have signed a petition to ask for Leeds City Council to secure the future of Kirkgate Market. http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.u...ign.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.

[oyster]

Originally Posted by Val Verde

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.

[LoveTheCity]

Originally Posted by oyster

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'

[Smoggie_Si]

Originally Posted by LoveTheCity

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!

[Val Verde]

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...n-from-council

Leeds Kirkgate Market traders call for action from council


"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.

[STOPGO]

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.