Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market are inviting you to have your say about it's future. Being empowered to share your opinion is good for your health and the community. Having a say about the future of the city's planning may have an impact on facilities, and amenities for generations to come. If like me you enjoy the market's variety of colourful goods and foodstuffs, together with it's bustling atmosphere, you might be keen to ensure it retains as much of it's current character as possible. Do Leeds residents need another on trend, more pricey shopping 'experience'? Many traders have already been priced out of renting stalls, thus depriving shoppers of the variety of goods on which Kirkgate Market built its reputation.
At present Leeds Kirkgate Market, which dates from the mid 19th century, provides an inclusive shopping facility for all Leeds residents and visitors, regardless of their income. For thousands of years, and world wide, simple lean to trestle boards, covered by awnings, have served as shops. I find an empty market place atmospheric, either at early morning when traders are laying out their wares, or alternatively at dusk when it's stalls appear forlorn once traders have deserted them. Sometimes I only browse when I visit the market, pausing awhile for a snack and cuppa. The crepe suzette in the pic was delicious, as was the glass of orange, celery and carrot juice.
Among the questions Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market would like you to have your say about are,
"Will these new plans safeguard the Council’s equality duty to the poor and vulnerable, the elderly, the disabled and ethnic minorities?
What do you think about the plans to link the Market to Victoria Gate with a grand entrance on George Street?
Will the butchers and fishmongers be able to occupy the same part of the market?
How do you feel about the 1976 hall being given over to day traders?
Will the outside market survive?"
Whereas an appropriate level of free street entertainment by some wandering minstrel, town cryers or poet, might be in keeping with market places of old. What do you think about "the Council’s intention to run a constant rolling programme of entertainments? Can you really combine show business with shopping"?
The council will soon be finalizing decisions about what changes will be implemented, if you feel able to support the Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market campaign, you can follow their blog, where you will find the necessary details to voice your opinion.
Sue