Fears over city market's survival prompt launch of campaign

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."