More than 3,400 people have signed a petition urging Newcastle City Council to protect the dedicated seating of three traditional cafes in Grainger Market, as a redesign plan for the 190-year-old venue raises concerns among traders.
The market has undergone major changes in recent years, most notably a revamp of its glass-roofed arcade into a more open space for gigs, fashion shows and other events. A shortage of seating has long been a complaint among some traders, especially with a major influx of food vendors, and the council plans to create a communal seating area for 300 people in the arcade.
Petition and trader concerns
The petition calls on the council to save the seating reserved for customers of Oliver's, Eats and the Coffee Lounge. Traders fear that replacing the current provision with a mass communal area could disrupt loyal customers who have frequented the cafes for decades, and be particularly off-putting for elderly and disabled customers for whom a trip to their favourite spot is an important part of their social routine.
Hilary Humphreys, 79, who enjoys visiting Eats, told the Chronicle: "People depend on going to those cafes for their wellbeing and it might be the only contact they have with someone else in the day. The market is a great new destination and I get that, it is fantastic."
She added: "But I think they could leave that little bit of the market and preserve it for the people who need it. Where would those people go if those cafes were not there? It would affect so many people."
Cafe owners respond
Newcastle City Council insisted that it was "simply not the case" that the cafes were under threat, and said it was considering having some dedicated seating outside their units, as well as a communal waiter service area. However, John Phillips, who owns Oliver's and Eats, told the Chronicle that it had been proposed that each cafe would have only 20 seats, down from 60 today, and that such a reduction would not be financially viable.
Phillips, chair of the Grainger Market Traders Group, said he was not against the idea of a communal seating area but questioned why it could not be created in addition to the three cafes' current provision. He added: "We are happy for more of the market to be shared – we fully agree. But it is going to have a detrimental impact on the older people who have supported the market over the last 20-something years."
He continued: "We are still discussing it with the council and we do hope that they can understand the needs of the customers. I just want them to understand that our regular customers have supported us for over 20 years, through the bad times of Covid and the disruption of all the building works, and have created the atmosphere within the market."
Alison Westgarth, who has managed Eats for more than two decades, said the cafe was the "vital heart of our local community" and that removing its seats and traditional waitress service would "fundamentally alter what makes this space so special". She added: "For many local customers, including, elderly, families with young children and those living alone, this cafe provides a rare, welcoming space to sit down, stay a while and connect with others."
Council response
Liberal Democrat councillor Owen Burbidge claimed that suggestions the cafes were under threat was "misinformation". He said: "I want to reassure people that this is simply not the case. The council is not planning to close any cafés and remains fully committed to supporting the market and all the businesses within it."
Burbidge added: "A communal seating area has always been part of the long-standing plans for the regeneration of the Arcade, and traders have been involved and consulted throughout the process. We have been working closely with affected businesses to listen to their concerns and understand how we can make the proposals work for everyone. This includes looking at a communal waiter-service area and opportunities for additional seating outside café units, subject to fire safety requirements."
He said the market had faced "significant challenges" and the investment and transformation were about giving it the future it deserved, adding: "Having a communal seating area, alongside an overall increase in seating provision, will give customers more choice and flexibility, encourage people to spend longer in the market and create more opportunities for events and activities that bring people together."
The council's focus, he said, is on working with traders, supporting their businesses and ensuring the market continues to be enjoyed by future generations.
