Michelle Reeves who runs Thread Bear, says the proposals include a new heating system which she feels isn’t needed
Stallholders at a town’s indoor market which is closing for refurbishment have said they are worried about the impact on their businesses.
Traders at Leek Butter Market and the adjoining Trestle Market fear shutting for six months will push customers to shop elsewhere and not return.
Some said they felt a revamp was “unnecessary” while others said the plan was missing “key” improvements.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, which is the building’s owner, said the refresh would attract new visitors into the town centre and ensure the Victorian market’s future viability.
The council says the refurbishment will bring a new audience to the Victorian market
Michelle Reeves who runs Thread Bear, says the £3.2m plan included a new heating system which she felt was not needed.
She said new toilets should have been included in the plans instead.
Ms Reeves said she had been offered a stall on the town’s outdoor market while the revamp took place but this was not suitable for the sort of products she sells.
“In terms of supporting us, it’s not a good proposal,” she said.
Some traders are concerned people might visit other towns nearby, such as Buxton, while Leek’s market is closed – and they would then get used to shopping elsewhere.
Joanne Wilson, who runs Rug Hut, will continue trading outside while the indoor market is shut
Joanne Wilson, whose business Rug Hut has been in the market for 15 years, said traders were horrified when they heard about the closure, which would add further pressure following years of difficult trading conditions.
She said the plans for the renovation looked “excellent” and it would really give the market a “facelift” but she was concerned that other markets had been regenerated and “the footfall never comes back because of how long the closure is”.
“What we are really hoping for is that when they do reopen us they will spend a nice lot of time and energy on advertising us and making sure we get our footfall back,” she added.
Ms Wilson said she would continue to trade outdoors while the works took place.
Leek Indoor Market is expected to be closed for six months while it undergoes refurbishment
But other traders felt taking their stalls outside was not suitable while some have decided to sell limited stock there.
Gale Clarke, of Gale’s Gems, said: “I can’t take most of my stock [outside] because it’s too heavy or too fragile.”
She said she had heard some traders had decided to stop selling altogether as a result of the closure.
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said he wanted to see the building fully refurbished and protected for the future.
He said he had travelled to various towns to see their markets, to get a feel for what would work well in Leek.
He added: “It’s going to bring money into the economy of the town centre. It’s going to bring new audiences into the markets.”
He said he had met traders to hear their opinions regarding the proposals.
The indoor market will close on Saturday and is expected to reopen in October.
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [email protected]
Related stories
Related internet links
News Related
-
Window opens for Zahid to ride off into the sunset – but at Anwar’s cost Sources within Umno have not ruled out strong speculation since last month about a so-called “exit plan” for Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, a move that could pave the way for his political retirement having survived more ...
See Details:
Window opens for Zahid to ride off into the sunset – but at Anwar's cost
-
Brianna Ghey died after she was found with fatal stab wounds in a park Two teenagers accused of murdering Brianna Ghey showed a “preoccupation” with “violence, torture and death”, a court has heard. The body of Brianna, 16, who was transgender, was discovered by dog walkers in a park in ...
See Details:
Murder-accused teens 'had preoccupation with torture'
-
ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY Guard Corps Commander-in-Cheif Major General Hossein Salami speaks at an anti-Israel protest in Tehran on Saturday. The IRGC trained Hezbollah to use human shields, say the writers. The conflict in Gaza has raised a deeply troubling issue: Reports suggest that Hamas is deliberately using civilians as shields, a ...
See Details:
A plea for Islamic voices against using human shields - opinion
-
Photo for illustration purposes only. – BERNAMA FILE PIX SHAH ALAM – The government needs to strengthen the Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) programme, especially with the exemption of visas for Chinese and Indian citizens visiting the country starting Dec 1. Universiti Tun Abdul Razak economic expert Emeritus Professor Dr ...
See Details:
Strengthen MM2H programme, promote multiple entry visa
-
GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill KUALA LUMPUR: The generational end-game (GEG) element has been removed from the revised Control of Smoking Products for Public Health 2023 Bill tabled for the first reading in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (Nov 28). This is as the Health Ministry tries for the ...
See Details:
GEG element removed from anti-smoking Bill
-
-
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Malaysia Airlines launches year-end sale
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Dr M accuses govt of bribery over allocations
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Malaysia to check if the Netherlands still keen to send flood experts
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Appeals court to rule in Isa’s graft case on Jan 31
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Elephants Trample On Axia With Family Of Three Inside
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Sirul fitted with monitoring device
-
KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 28): National carrier Malaysia Airlines Bhd has launched its year-end sale with ticket prices starting from RM79 to domestic destinations and from RM229 to international destinations, for travellers who book flights between Nov 28 and Dec 11 this year. In a statement, Malaysia Airlines said all-in one-way Economy Class ...
See Details:
Nigerian airliner lands at wrong airport
OTHER NEWS
THOSE looking for fresh produce may find themselves spoilt for choice at the biggest wet market in Klang, but visitors to the place say the condition of the facilities and ...
Read more »
Olive Grove is the first-ever gated-and-guarded development in Bercham, Ipoh with 24-hour security. IPOH: YTL Land and Development Bhd announced that Phase 1 of Olive Grove is fully sold while ...
Read more »
Screenshots of a video showing a teenager pointing a knife at an elderly e-hailing driver. PETALING JAYA: Police have arrested a 13-year-old boy for holding an elderly e-hailing driver at ...
Read more »
Sprint Highway’s Semantan To KL Slip Road Fully Closed Until Dec 31 If you’re a regular user of the Sprint expressway, you’ll need to do some planning for your trips ...
Read more »
Genshin Impact Version 4.3 Leak Showcases Update to Domains New leaks reveals a quality-of-life update to Domains in Genshin Impact, making it easier for players to repeat and farm resources. ...
Read more »
CG Computers will host the Urban Republic (UR) Warehouse Clearance from 30 November to 3 December at the Atria Shopping Gallery in Petaling Jaya. During the event, visitor can get ...
Read more »
Photo for illustrative purposes only – 123RF KUALA LUMPUR – Hyperinflation has never happened in Malaysia and the government hopes it will never happen, according to the Economy Ministry. It ...
Read more »