‘We will have to rebuild our businesses from scratch’ – traders call on Leeds Council for support once lockdown is over

New statistics have laid bare the effects coronavirus has had on the city’s markets, with even the flagship Kirkgate outdoor market in the city centre seeing the number of open stalls fall to single figures on some days.

Leeds City Council, which owns many of the city’s markets, has given free rents to the outdoor traders to help with cash flow problems, adding that this would be reviewed on a month-to-month basis.

But Lisa Stebbings, who represents the outdoor stallholders in Leeds Market, believes the council should not even consider charging rents for businesses while they are unable to trade, and called for more help to be offered once the lockdown is over.

She said: “We will literally have to rebuild our businesses all over again on the outdoor market.

“How will a lot of people be able to run their market stalls even when they are allowed to go back to work?

“Realistically, the council should not even consider charging rent when we are not even there. We need free rent when we go back so we can build up our businesses again.

“None of us are working – we are not earning. It’s not great at all.”

Statistics were released earlier this week by Leeds City Council via the Datamill North website showing the proportion of unused market stalls for each day.

Of the 185 outdoor market stall spaces, 78 were empty on the first Monday in March (March 2), while the first Monday in April saw 183.

The rest of the week saw only between 10 and 14 stalls open.

The council confirmed that all traders on the open markets were currently being provided with a 100 per cent discount on daily licence fees, but added it would review this on a month-by-month basis.

It added that, while it was looking to help traders post-lockdown, it would be too early to make concrete plans as it is not yet known when the government’s Covid-19 restrictions will be over.

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “The effects of tackling coronavirus are continuing to have a huge impact on businesses of all sizes. Leeds Kirkgate Market is no different in this regard.

“Significant factors on day-to-day trading at Leeds Kirkgate Market include national restrictions on which businesses can open, and guidance regarding non-essential travel, social distancing and social gatherings which were introduced to help stop the spread of coronavirus.

“This has resulted, as you would expect, in an unprecedented environment which means certain businesses have been unable to open both on the outdoor and indoor market. Non-essential businesses are unable to return until the government guidance is lifted.

“From our part we are continuing to work incredibly hard with both indoor and outdoor traders to keep Leeds Kirkgate Market open for the local community despite the significant pressures. This has meant that our customers can continue to access essential supplies, and be offered a quick and reliable service in a safe environment to shop.

“Market traders have adapted fantastically well to the current situation with many now offering delivery and click and collect services which we have promoted far and wide. We would like to thank them for their tremendous efforts. The market team will also be continuing to offer all of the assistance possible to traders during these difficult times.”

The government restrictions relating to indoor and outdoor markets mean that only food and grocery stalls are allowed to trade.

Food and grocery is still available at Leeds Kirkgate Market while the open market and district markets at Pudsey, Otley and Yeadon have fruit and vegetable stalls and some fresh fish available.