Traders Say Nearly 200 Years of Market History Under Threat

Written by Harry Turnbull

Birkenhead’s proud market heritage spanning 190 years is being dismantled in favour of a posh destination venue, say disgruntled traders.

A new site just yards away from the current home in the town centre is being prepared by the council with support from a government fund but will contain just thirteen small units for traders. Most of the space is dedicated to food and drink outlets including a cocktail bar.

The development is a hammer blow to many traders with large retail spaces and histories going back decades. And some regard the move towards modernisation with some skepticism in a town already deserted by major retailers like Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser.

One described the move as providing a glorified canteen for council staff recently installed in a brand new office tower block nearby.

Costly consultants were brought on board to examine how the local centre could evolve to meet more modern needs and turned to a playbook now well-thumbed throughout the country – replace old style retail stalls with a food and drink space filled with trendy names. Although decisions have been taken and work is about to forge ahead at the former Argos building next to Birkenhead bus station, it is only now that the public has been engaged – and that is just to comment on the look and layout.

Greg McTigue, of the Market Traders Association, said  ‘There are few traders happy with the plan. There is not enough room for everyone and the whole concept is not what I would consider a market.

‘It is a food hall with a cocktail bar. The overall idea seems to be to create some sort of food and drink destination rather than a market hall. And of course it is handy for all the council workers. I’m not sure the attempted gentrification of  Birkenhead is necessarily what this area requires.

‘We have no objections to creating something like this but not at our expense. We have traders whose business has an association going back more than 70 years.

‘In my business, which is mobility equipment, we have 15 scooters on site. The proposed small retail units can’t accommodate us. But our requirements were never top of the agenda.’

The market has operated in various town centre sites since 1835 and has been in its present position since 1977 following two fires at the previous location.

Alan Featherstone, of Wirral Flower Market commented ‘From the outset we feel they didn’t fully consult with traders as they were legally obliged to do. I have had to resort to pursuing answers to my questions via a number of Freedom of Information requests.

‘The space available at the new site is too small and there are only 13 units. Total square space for stallholders is just 500 sq metres compared with 1700 sq metres at the current site.

‘They own the former Argos building which is the new location and basically got £14m from a government fund basically to do it up.’

Mr Featherstone said a much more suitable is the former Marks & Spencer building which he and other traders are exploring the possibility of taking it over.

Cllr Pat Cleary, spokesman for the Green Party on Wirral Council, said a previous plan to relocate the market had the support of traders and the public but it all changed when the director of regeneration left and a new one was appointed.

‘‘Unfortunately during this process the director of regeneration who led it left and was replaced by someone who had different ideas and the plan ended up being scrapped by the ruling party on the council, which is Labour.

‘That was done on costs grounds not benefit to Birkenhead or the community. As a result a new plan was formed to move to the Argos building near Birkenhead bus station. This proved deeply unpopular with traders and the public. But having moved to that position that director of regenration then left too.

‘So we are in a situation now where we have an unpopular plan and many market traders do not know whet their future is. They have lost confidence is the process and although they have put forward a separate plan, this time for another empty building previously occupied by Marks & Spencer, the council does not want to support it.’

Wirral Council Leader Cllr Paul Stuart said ‘Across the country, town centres are transforming to meet the evolving needs of shoppers and visitors.Birkenhead Market, which has been at the heart of the town centre for generations, is ready to embrace positive steps to secure its future.

‘Together, we will shape the new market in its new location, a space that holds great potential to perfectly meet the current and future needs of our vibrant shopping area, further energising our mission to breathe new life into the town centre.’

The public can also see large format CGI images and floorplans outlining the design proposals from September 16-21 at Pyramids Shppoing Centre .from 11:30am – 1:30pm.