Traders worry as indoor market closes for revamp

Stallholders at a town's indoor market which is closing for refurbishment have said they are worried about the impact on their businesses.

Traders at Leek Butter Market and the adjoining Trestle Market fear shutting for six months will push customers to shop elsewhere and not return.

Some said they felt a revamp was "unnecessary" while others said the plan was missing "key" improvements.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, which is the building’s owner, said the refresh would attract new visitors into the town centre and ensure the Victorian market’s future viability.

Michelle Reeves who runs Thread Bear, says the £3.2m plan included a new heating system which she felt was not needed.

She said new toilets should have been included in the plans instead.

Ms Reeves said she had been offered a stall on the town's outdoor market while the revamp took place but this was not suitable for the sort of products she sells.

“In terms of supporting us, it’s not a good proposal,” she said.

Some traders are concerned people might visit other towns nearby, such as Buxton, while Leek’s market is closed – and they would then get used to shopping elsewhere.

Joanne Wilson, whose business Rug Hut has been in the market for 15 years, said traders were horrified when they heard about the closure, which would add further pressure following years of difficult trading conditions.

She said the plans for the renovation looked "excellent" and it would really give the market a "facelift” but she was concerned that other markets had been regenerated and "the footfall never comes back because of how long the closure is".

“What we are really hoping for is that when they do reopen us they will spend a nice lot of time and energy on advertising us and making sure we get our footfall back,” she added.

Ms Wilson said she would continue to trade outdoors while the works took place.

But other traders felt taking their stalls outside was not suitable while some have decided to sell limited stock there.

Gale Clarke, of Gale’s Gems, said: “I can’t take most of my stock [outside] because it’s too heavy or too fragile."

She said she had heard some traders had decided to stop selling altogether as a result of the closure.

Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said he wanted to see the building fully refurbished and protected for the future.

He said he had travelled to various towns to see their markets, to get a feel for what would work well in Leek.

He added: “It’s going to bring money into the economy of the town centre. It’s going to bring new audiences into the markets.”

He said he had met traders to hear their opinions regarding the proposals.

The indoor market will close on Saturday and is expected to reopen in October.

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