Indoor market traders react to demolition plans

Birmingham's market has been a vital part of the city's rich trading tradition for more than 850 years - its current indoor market is one of the UK's largest for fishmongers and butchers, with more than two decades of trading behind it.

But last month, Birmingham City Council approved plans to demolish the city centre site on Edgbaston Street in 2027.

Traders - who also include clothing and household goods sellers - are due to temporarily relocate, before moving to a permanent building in the wider Smithfield development. Some are welcoming the decision, but others fear they will lose business.

The council said it remained committed to supporting the market community throughout the period of transition.

"Our goal is to ensure that Birmingham's market community emerges stronger from this transition," it said.

However, Jhone Khairula, whose textile business was started by his uncle 22 years ago, worries some of his older customers "might never find us".

"It's sad, we're already struggling with the business," he said.

The owner of City Tailoring said the relocation could cause confusion among shoppers, but he hoped the new site would be clearly marked and have a nearby car park.

Mohammed Saddique, owner of Rohman Hardware, said since the demolition had been announced, people had already stopped visiting the market.

"It's already empty stalls," he said, adding the decision to demolish the market was "really sad".

"We are losing our business," he said.

However, Darren Bodley, manager of Enoch Butchers who has been trading for 36 years, believes the change is needed.

"It's going to fall apart a little bit, so now is time to move on," he said.

"Customers will find you wherever you go. We've got good customers… and if they want the product they just go and find us."

The city council said any decisions about new or existing traders at the new permanent building would be "based on the situation" when it opened and added its intention was all traders would be able to relocate.

Hammerson, which owns the site, said it had worked on extending the lease of the indoor market until late 2027.

Construction on the site is due to begin in 2028, with demolition planned for late 2027.

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