Traders 'loud and clear' on opposition to market plans

AROUND 100 STALLHOLDERS BELIEVE COUNCIL'S REVAMP HAS 'RISK OF FAILURE'

- By SAMUEL PORT

AROUND 100 traders at Huddersfield Open Market have signed a letter opposing the council’s bid to alter the venue - believing the plans pose a “substantial risk of failure”.

Kirklees Council secured a £16.5m grant from the government's Levelling Up Fund to update the market.

Plans include new fixed stalls, as well as over 70 demountable stalls for market days, along with hot food vendors, a bar and seating area. The market would also be open for more days and longer hours.

The traders say the signatures represent more than 90% of the stallholders present at the historic market - which dates back to 1887, on Thursday 9 and Saturday 11 October and is an overwhelming majority of the total number of traders on all days the market is open.