'We do not want to lose our market'

Since the late 1800s, Huddersfield Open Market has beckoned bargain hunters, collectors and dealers alike. As Kirklees Council considers proposals to revamp the Grade II* listed building, traders operating under the Victorian canopy say they worry for their livelihoods.

Plans were submitted to upgrade the market last year, with a view to offering a greater mix of traders, more space and improved accessibility.

But stall holders are concerned some traders will be "chucked out" if the plans go ahead.

Alex Mettrick, who sells vintage trains and memorabilia as part of the second-hand market which runs every Tuesday and Saturday, says: "Obviously, the place needs doing up but this current plan is going to wreck a lot of lives - we are just begging the council to listen to us."

The £16.5m project is part of a wider £250m blueprint for the town centre, which also includes plans for a new library, museum and live entertainment venue.

The application to Kirklees Council includes an area for hot food vendors, a bar and a dedicated seating area.

If approved, work is expected to start in the spring.

According to the application, the plans would improve the traditional market offering by increasing the mix of sellers, extending operating hours and allowing more space to showcase traders' wares.

The market would be more accessible and would feature more seating.

"The plan is for a food and drink market and events space," says Lorraine Howell who has been trading on the Saturday market for more than 10 years.

"That is exactly the same as they are building in the old Queensgate market, five minutes away."

Instead of the council's plans, campaigners have proposed a co-design process.

They argue it would properly value the "expertise and experience" of traders, market visitors, event organisers, architects and planners, and would resolve issues in six weeks.

So far more than 1,000 people have signed a letter supporting proposals which campaigners call "the constructive way forward".

Andrew Wilson, director of West Yorkshire think tank Same Skies, drafted the plan and is coordinating the campaign.

He believes the current application has "no recognition of the strength of the current market" and the design process of the proposals have not "drawn on the expertise of people who understand markets and what makes them successful".

Dawn-Marie Cole has been selling jewellery and collectables at Huddersfield Open Market for the last four years and wants the plans to be revisited.

"We know the roof needs doing, but we will not all get a stall, it is potluck.

"They are taking out some and making the aisles wider when they do not need to be.

"There is plenty of room between stalls, the disabled access is fantastic."

Trader Sonia Hillary agrees: "We are worried the number of stalls will be reduced to the point it will not have the variety it does now.

"This market is surviving because it has such a good variety, if you cherry-pick to a few nice-looking stalls, you will not get the customers."

Kirklees Council says it has been "engaging closely with traders and industry experts".

"These improvements are designed to build on what already makes the market special while celebrating the town's history and character," it says.

"We believe the plans strengthen those traditional qualities, will help attract more people into both the market and the wider town in the future and ensure the market can continue long term."

But Sonia fears the changes will have a long-term impact on the market traders.

"This is the best market but traders will leave and they will not come back," she says.

"We do not want to lose our market."

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