For many towns, the presence of a local market is a major draw, with a variety of unique and specialist retailers able to showcase their goods in a busy location. However, changes to this setting can be the cause of controversy – as has been the case with Eastgate Market in Gloucester.
The current market is located on the bottom floor of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, but site owner the Other Retail Group wishes to relocate traders to the upper floor. This is partly due to a desire for the current market space to be renovated for retailer TK Maxx, and also because the plans for the upper floor would, claims asset manager John Wood, enhance the market setting and prove pleasing to both shoppers and traders.
Under the plans, the marketplace would form the focal point of a “light and airy” 15,000 sq ft floor space, with a separate section to serve as a food court drawing visitors to the upper level and therefore increasing passing trade for stallholders. Should planning approval be granted in April, group executives expect the scheme to be completed by Easter 2015.
Mr Wood says; “The market is so important: we want to keep it here but it is dated and we would like to improve and enhance it.
“It would be beautifully connected to the rest of the centre and would also be next to the car park.
“If we crack on with it and do the work as quickly as possible we could have it for Easter next year – we have a golden opportunity to make it happen.”
However, traders remain uncertain that the move upstairs would truly benefit them, with many reluctant to move from their current spot. Unfortunately, repairs to the current site would cost between £750,000 and £1 million and, to add to the difficulties, may not be possible whilst traders are occupying the space thanks to health and safety concerns.
In a bid to reconcile the market’s occupants to the new plans, Gloucester City Council has pledged to use the money saved from the alternative expensive renovation to give traders a rent free period. Furthermore, as the upstairs space would prove more economical to run, rents thereafter would be much lower than the current price.
Leader of Gloucester City Council, Paul James, is hopeful that the traders are beginning to see the benefits of the relocation.
He explains; “If the market moves upstairs it will be cheaper than staying put which would require a smaller contribution from the city council, meaning we could offer a better deal on rents.
“I met with traders on Wednesday and some of them told me that they were open to the idea – they are being pretty pragmatic about it.”
However, with a petition calling for the market to remain on the lower level garnering the support of 7,000 people, it seems that winning traders over is only half the battle. It seems Gloucester City Council may have to choose between heritage and finances when it comes to resolving this contentious issue.
