Traders split over plans to move historic market

Traders at a historic market are split over the planned move to a new home, with some saying they "can't wait", while others have objected.

Work is underway to turn the former TJ Hughes site at the Pyramids Shopping Centre into Birkenhead Market's new home after traders objected to previous plans to move it to the town's former Argos store.

Mike Eccles from Billy Hill Curtains said he "can't wait" to move, while some other traders, including Valerie Hudson, have objected to the move, saying she had been told there was no room for her.

Wirral Council said it was supporting traders but understood "not everyone will agree with this decision".

The Wirral town's historic market, which is set to relocate by the end of the year, dates back to the 1830s.

While many traders support the move, some have raised concerns with how it has been handled, with some claiming they have been unable to secure a stall in the new market.

Valerie Hudson said she would not be moving to the new market, claiming she has been told there is no room for her, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Having traded in the market for 25 years, she said she has been "absolutely disgusted" with how some traders have been treated.

Mike Eccles, who runs the longest-standing business in the market, backed the move, saying the current market is "half empty", with little footfall.

Fellow trader Mark Jones said: "We need a change. I think the move will be great business-wise and will help the market grow."

He said he had slight reservations about the new site not having a "proper market feel as it will be like a shop in a shop" but he felt that, ultimately, "a change is for the better".

Clothes shop owner, Jin Dhillon said he is "really looking forward to the move after a few years of being in the unknown".

"There's less and less people coming in here now. The new place should have more footfall," he added.

Mark Davey said the new market "can't be any worse than what it's like now".

He said he is pleased with the new location and is hopeful for more passing trade, but is also concerned about a "shop in a shop" feeling with the new market.

Davey said he did raise some concerns about the stall that will be located towards the back of the new market, and potentially hidden away.

"I think it'll be ok if you're at the front," he added.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said relocating Birkenhead Market was a key priority and it was vital they go this move right "both for traders and for the future success of Birkenhead town centre".

They said they had worked closely with traders, providing regular communication, one-to-one discussions and ongoing support throughout the process.

The spokesperson said the "overwhelming majority of current traders are moving to the new market".

"As part of the relocation process, decisions about the allocation of units have been made through a structured assessment process and within the practical constraints of the new building, and this has been communicated openly throughout," they added.

The focus had been on "working together to create a sustainable, vibrant market with the right mix of businesses to give the market, and the traders within it, the best possible chance of long-term success".

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