Traders at Preston’s historic covered market are preparing to take their stalls across the road.
Preston City Council’s markets boss has written to all outdoor market traders saying their relocation due to the upcoming Amounderness House building works and Lancaster Road roadworks is imminent.
In May we reported how the city council had outlined the need for a temporary relocation until 2027 with a move to split the market between the Wallace and Gromit covered end of the market and the Fish Market canopy (Box Market) area.
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The letter, seen by Blog Preston, outlines all the outdoor traders are due to be moved under the Box Market canopy area only and the Sunday market say their final day of trading in the current Lancaster Road location is due to be on Sunday 28 September while the current weekday outdoor traders are expected to move by the end of October.
Markets manager Mark Beck outlines how increased vehicle movements in Earl Street and Lancaster Road during the works by Eric Wright Construction along with hoardings going up and a water-filled barrier with heras fencing along the length of the outdoor market canopy in Earl Street means it is not safe for market traders to remain.
The footpath along the front and side of Amounderness House in Earl Street and Lancaster Road is also due to be closed throughout the works.
He goes on to state the area currently used by the outdoor market traders may still be used for council-run events due to more limited vehicle access being needed compared to the market – a decision which has angered traders.
Long-standing traders have criticised the disruption they say is coming and accused the city council of ‘not caring’.
Michael Stott, who runs the Toys N More stall, told Blog Preston: “This is going to potentially put people out of business.
“Preston Market has been severely decimated over the last few years and it is doubtful it could withstand another setback like this, some of the traders have been on this market for over thirty years.
“So much for our loyalty as traders when we are approaching our busy period.
“I think it is unfair our area is being used as a compound for something that has nothing to do with the Markets and clearly this construction company is dictating to the council and markets what is happening.”
Some traders have already decided to close up as a result of the forthcoming changes.
Derek’s Books which has notched up nearly 50 years of trading says his final Wednesday will be the 1 October before just carrying on at Chorley and Garstang markets instead.
Derek Walsh said: “The loss of parking and loading bays along Early Street and the relocation to the small covered market for 18 months will cause considerably disruption in what is an already fragile trading environment.
“So after nearly a decade of putting up with constant building work and being moved backwards and forwards while the market/cinema redevelopment was taking place, I’ve decided with a heavy heart that I will stop trading at Preston Market after nearly 48 years service.”
Amelia Dalmeida, who operates the outdoor market on a Sunday, said ‘we will have to see how it works out’ when asked about the Box Market move.
She said: “We have around 30 or so traders each Sunday and I don’t think we will be able to get all the tables in under the Box Market canopy as we do right now, so I’ll have to look at who comes every week to make a priority.
“It is causing a lot of distress for people and although we understand the work needs to be done. There is a lot of unhappiness about it.”
A Preston City Council spokesperson said: “The council has carefully considered the relocation of outdoor market traders, and our priority is to ensure this transition is as smooth as possible so business can return to normal quickly. The Amounderness House project is part of a £200m Harris Quarter Investment which will improve the area around Preston Markets, attract more visitors, boost the economy and support the market traders.
“All traders have the opportunity to talk to the Markets team on an individual basis to discuss their requirements and consultations are now underway.”
Asked whether there were proposals for a Christmas-themed event on the Lancaster Road markets area, a spokesperson told Blog Preston: “There are no plans for a Christmas Market around Lancaster Road.”
They also said while temporary events may still be held on the current space used by the outdoor market these would only be those which required limited vehicle movements to set up and nothing had been confirmed at this stage.
Preston’s Indoor Market is not affected by any of the changes to the outdoor market location and continues to trade and be open as usual.
The relocation of the outdoor market is due to continue until Spring 2027.
The Amounderness House scheme was due to see work begin in the summer, already delayed from an early 2025 start after revised plans were needed, but work has yet to begin on the £9million scheme to bring the grade-II listed former courthouse building back into use as a co-working and office hub.
Last week it was reported how further revised proposals are now needed for the former magistrates’ court building.
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