Kirkgate Market, can it survive?

The Doggers · Post by **The Doggers** » Thu 16 Sep, 2010 4:58 pm

Hi folks, it's been a while!I was reading this http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/se ... bour-group not too long ago, and couldn't help but wonder whether the market, and indeed markets in general, can actually be saved in the long run?The world has and still is changing, and with 24 hour supermarkets, its no longer the case that people go do their big shop on a Saturday, with some choosing the market and others choosing the supermarket.I'm just not convinced that traditional markets are sustainable anymore. They need to offer something different to get people interested. Perhaps a loyalty scheme of some sort, where you get money off at attractions in Leeds, or restaurants etc. Even then I'm not entirely convinced.I'm interested in other peoples' views on this?

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Thu 16 Sep, 2010 6:41 pm

It amazes me that the Leeds Kirkgate Market is shut on Sundays, which is now a busy shopping day for many.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 16 Sep, 2010 8:46 pm

Can it survive? I'd love to see it, but not with the current management I don't think.And now Labour are back in charge on the council I'm even more worried - they spent their last couple of decades in power running the place down, or trying to flog it off to developers.Parts of the market are still great - there are some fantastic individual stalls for example, but there are too many stalls selling second rate rubbish with many of the same things repeated over and over.I can't for the life of me imagine how the clothing stalls can compete with the supermarkets. If you're on a budget and can get a pair of jeans for a fiver at Tesco or Asda, with a money back guarantee, why are you going to go anywhere else? And there is pretty much a big supermarket in every suburb now.As a kid I can remember that there used to be coach trips from all over the North of England to Leeds purely to go to the market - do they still happen? I'd be surprised if they do, certainly on the scale they did.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Thu 16 Sep, 2010 9:21 pm

For food, specifically veg, flowers, meat and fish, yes. For anything else- noAs a nation, we embrace " Farmers markets". Isn't that what Kirkgate market is?? I am 43 now, but as a child, every friday mum took us down for fish ( yup, catholics!).

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Thu 16 Sep, 2010 9:26 pm

There are regular buses from the north east, particularly in the run up to Christmas, but admittedly the Market is the tradiotional reason but the truth is Harvey Nicks and a day on the lash. However I did see one bunch of ladies getting back on the coach at the playhouse with a bale of bog roll, uttering the immortal line, "Ya cannae get em cheeper in Consett".One of the problems is that as an incentive new stalls get the first six months free so you have lots of itinerant trader who have no intention of ever staying taking advantage of a free pitch and then moving on. A lot of the long term stall holder think this should be changed to a reward of reduced rent after a year.I don't know if it opens on all sundays but it does on Sundays when the Farmers MArket is on and some of the indoor stall holders take out-door pitches.It's as busy as ever when I go but it's noticable stall holders are losing patience, some long term regulars have gone and some stalls down the bottom haven't bee occupied in ten years. This is down to management, the promotion of the market and the rents. I feel it should be managed as an asett for the whole city not a money maker in its own right. Covering cost rather than making money might give the quirky stalls who can offer something different the toehold they need to get going.

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Fri 17 Sep, 2010 12:55 am

The building must survive but not as a market.It's such a magnificent structure, it should become a star in its own right. I'd love it if LCC thought BIG. Some piddling displays or tourist information guff wouldn't cut it. What about a new Tate Gallery based there? A theatre in the round? A Beamish style Victorian era attraction?

The Parksider · Post by **The Parksider** » Fri 17 Sep, 2010 8:53 am

The Doggers wrote: Hi folks, it's been a while!The world has and still is changing, and with 24 hour supermarkets, its no longer the case that people go do their big shop on a Saturday, with some choosing the market and others choosing the supermarket.I'm just not convinced that traditional markets are sustainable anymore. They need to offer something different to get people interested. I'm interested in other peoples' views on this? It should survive in a smaller form carrying the kind of shops that do do well and supply what others don't.Can you imagine losing the fishmongers? They sell all sorts the supermarkets either don't have or run out of quickly.

LS1 · Post by **LS1** » Fri 17 Sep, 2010 9:27 am

When I look at the fish you can get in the market, then go to some of the supermarkets, there is such a differnece, I now dont even bother getting fish from the supermarket, I'd rather go without - its absolute rubbish- sat there for days, no care taken over it, some spotty teenager who doesnt know what half of it is anyway.The market is a shabby place and just wont attract people. It's mostly a temporary structure that is still here 30 years after it was supposed to be replaced after the fire in 1975. I remember as a child goint every thursday with my grandparents, when there was the little outdoor market and you had to cross over harper street to get to the other half of it. Now it looks great outside but the rest is just really run-down. The stores are good, but there needs to be more takeways and places to get some food other than pie and chips all the time (not that the cafes there are not good I hasten to add!

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Fri 17 Sep, 2010 10:16 am

Geordie-exile wrote: The building must survive but not as a market.It's such a magnificent structure, it should become a star in its own right. I'd love it if LCC thought BIG. Some piddling displays or tourist information guff wouldn't cut it. What about a new Tate Gallery based there? A theatre in the round? A Beamish style Victorian era attraction? It is a star and its amarket. It's been onthat site or around for 1000 years and it shouldn't be swept away to prettofy or pamper to fickle leisure interests. "Ook across the road at the corn exchange and be warned!

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Fri 17 Sep, 2010 11:09 am

Cardiarms wrote: Geordie-exile wrote: The building must survive but not as a market.It's such a magnificent structure, it should become a star in its own right. I'd love it if LCC thought BIG. Some piddling displays or tourist information guff wouldn't cut it. What about a new Tate Gallery based there? A theatre in the round? A Beamish style Victorian era attraction? It is a star and its amarket. It's been onthat site or around for 1000 years and it shouldn't be swept away to prettofy or pamper to fickle leisure interests. "Ook across the road at the corn exchange and be warned! I second that Cardiarms They could move all the veg and fruit stalls from outside indoors.I dont care what anyone says the the fruit and veg are far better than the supermarkets can offer and at a better price.This would fit in with the fish stalls that are indoors now, all the so called tat stalls could go outside.Has for the six months free rent let them go on the outside if they do well then by all means let them move inside.I for one would be very unhappy if we lost the market it needs some thought putting into it that would mean someone who knows what the people want we are not all yuppies shopping at pricey nicks i dont say there is not a place for the upmarket type shops but get rid of the market never.