SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

As reported on the BBC:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west ... 0341.stm"A Sunday market in Leeds has been closed by the city council because of "high levels" of illegal and counterfeit goods on sale.Cross Green Market, which has been operating for about 15 years, attracts up to 1,000 stallholders a week. "But in recent years it had become the focus for organised criminal activity, including counterfeit music, DVDs and clothing," said Leeds City Council. "Full article at the link above.The last time I went there was when it was still known as a car boot sale rather than a market, around 7 or 8 years ago and 'dodgy dealing' was blatant all around us.We set up our stall (selling old stuff from our home we no longer wanted / needed) next to what was clearly a regular trade stall who was quite openly selling pirate videos and DVDs and taking orders for the following week.Around mid morning the council staff came around to collect the rent for the pitches - mrs ravey and I expected a flurry of furtive hiding of goods until the officials had gone, but not only were they greeted like old friends, but they were also supplied with their movies ordered the previous week!With staff like that, it explains why the council allowed it to deteriorate to the point it reportedly has. It seems od though that the council has simply thrown the towel in rather than take some sort of prolonged enforcement action to drive the dodgepots out as I'm sure it must have been a money spinner for them. I'm sure there will be many people who will miss the genuine stalls.If we do a car boot sale nowadays we either go to York Racecourse on a Saturday or Wetherby Racecourse on a Sunday - both much better run and decidedly less rough.

raveydavey wrote: As reported on the BBC:http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west ... 0341.stm"A Sunday market in Leeds has been closed by the city council because of "high levels" of illegal and counterfeit goods on sale.Cross Green Market, which has been operating for about 15 years, attracts up to 1,000 stallholders a week. "But in recent years it had become the focus for organised criminal activity, including counterfeit music, DVDs and clothing," said Leeds City Council. "Full article at the link above.The last time I went there was when it was still known as a car boot sale rather than a market, around 7 or 8 years ago and 'dodgy dealing' was blatant all around us.We set up our stall (selling old stuff from our home we no longer wanted / needed) next to what was clearly a regular trade stall who was quite openly selling pirate videos and DVDs and taking orders for the following week.Around mid morning the council staff came around to collect the rent for the pitches - mrs ravey and I expected a flurry of furtive hiding of goods until the officials had gone, but not only were they greeted like old friends, but they were also supplied with their movies ordered the previous week!With staff like that, it explains why the council allowed it to deteriorate to the point it reportedly has. It seems od though that the council has simply thrown the towel in rather than take some sort of prolonged enforcement action to drive the dodgepots out as I'm sure it must have been a money spinner for them. I'm sure there will be many people who will miss the genuine stalls.If we do a car boot sale nowadays we either go to York Racecourse on a Saturday or Wetherby Racecourse on a Sunday - both much better run and decidedly less rough. Who would have thought it - someone quick on the uptake there.    

I went once, it seemed to be full of slack jawed youths touting a motley collection of power and garden tools out of holdalls or a suitcase.

In a word....................GOOD!

A possibility that Cross Green is to be the site for the latest recycling centre and incinerator.

Brunel wrote: A possibility that Cross Green is to be the site for the latest recycling centre and incinerator. Yes was reported as such.

Two thoughts good riddance, wasn't a car boot for years and that is the councils fault. When it was first set up they were very careful to state athat oit was not in competition with Kirkgate market. Over the years more and more traders have appeared and with them all the dodgy stalls etc.This has gone for years of course and is a very convenient way of clearing the site so that the much awaited incinerator will go there.

Hector wrote: Two thoughts good riddance, wasn't a car boot for years and that is the councils fault. When it was first set up they were very careful to state athat oit was not in competition with Kirkgate market. Over the years more and more traders have appeared and with them all the dodgy stalls etc.This has gone for years of course and is a very convenient way of clearing the site so that the much awaited incinerator will go there. I think you hit it right on the button the council have made thousands off pounds over the years on what was spare land.Over the last few years a lot of the stall holders have paid a yearly rent as for the cowboys they have been there from the start. By the way i have not sold on the site just gone round it over the years the reason for closeing it is rubbish but you have to have a reason and this one fits the bill.

I remember going a few years ago just after our video had been nicked. (didn't find it) And thinking that if all the coppers outside, on presumably Sunday overtime, putting tickets on illegally parked cars were inside looking for knock off and illegal videos CD's etc, they'd be better employed.