Traders at Manchester's Piccadilly Markets have said they are 'very sad' after it was confirmed the popular hub will close at the end of October. The council has confirmed the city centre market, situated next to Piccadilly Gardens, will close its doors after traders shared their sadness over the decision.
Traders react to closure news
Earlier this week, the family-run Ghanaian-Caribbean food stall Rita's Reign posted a video on social media saying they had been told by council bosses that the market site would close on October 22. In the video, staff shared their fondness for the market, where the concept had started its life seven years ago.
Founder Rita Linsdell said she was 'very sad that we are losing our home'. She explained: "If they close us down, we cannot accommodate all our staff so it's going to be a great loss for a lot of people, not just ourselves."
Staff at Rita's Reign said the closure of the stalls would be 'devastating for us all'. In the post, the stall workers said they were 'awaiting relocation news' and had been told the council would be helping to move them and the other traders to a new location.
Community support and council response
Saying they hope 'the council will come through', staff said: "If they want to move us from where we are, they should find us a suitable place to trade from. A place where our community can find us and find us easily."
Tip Toe actress Iz Hesketh was one of those to share their sadness in response to the post. Iz wrote: "Really hope the council pull through with the relocation for everyone. Been coming to you guys whenever I'm back in Manny for years. Best food and soundest staff. You deserve the best <3."
Another said: "Genuinely devastated, this has been one of my favourite spots since I've lived in Manchester." One other commented: "The spot is iconic, I bring my friends to see the street food vendors in Manchester. I hope you can fight to stay and if that doesn't work I hope a new location can just be as accessible."
Council pledges support and relocation
In a statement shared with the Manchester Evening News on September 25, Manchester City Council said it recognised the success and 'important role' the markets and its traders have had on the city. The council said it has been supporting traders for 'many months' regarding the plans to close the markets amidst the 'major transformation' of Piccadilly Gardens, which will feature an 'ambitious vision' for the area. It has also reiterated that 'no trader will be left without somewhere to go'.
A Manchester City Council spokesperson said: "We have always believed in the important role that markets can play in our city to support businesses to grow, build a loyal customer base and thrive - and the Piccadilly Gardens site has supported lots of ventures through the years. These businesses are Manchester success stories and we want to support them to continue to succeed in the future.
"We have been in conversation with the traders for many months around the closure of the market ahead of the major transformation of Piccadilly Gardens and our intention is to create a higher quality environment for these businesses to operate that also retains their true character and ethos.
"So, while the street food market will close at the end of October, no trader will be left without somewhere to go. Each business will immediately take up a spot at the Christmas Markets from early November while we consider long-term locations.
"We know that the transformation of Piccadilly Gardens is one of the things that our residents want to see most for our city centre. It's an incredibly important public space that can do better. We have an ambitious vision for this area, and we look forward to starting work on the major regeneration works as soon as possible."
Announced earlier today, planning permission for the revamp of Piccadilly Gardens was given the go-ahead after no objections were received over its proposals to create a 'more colourful, vibrant, safer and inviting' space. Aimed to turn the area into a 'world-class' destination, the plans are set to include the removal of 'unsightly' low concrete walls and 'unreliable' fountains. It had been announced back in August that the street food market would need to be relocated in order to make the transformation a reality.
