Leeds Council has slashed rents at Kirkgate Market to help struggling traders

Struggling traders at Kirkgate Market have welcomed a three month rent cut aimed at seeing them through the lockdown.
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Leeds City Council have cut rents entirely for all outdoor and district market traders and given a 50 per cent reduction to indoor market traders from January 1 to March 31, 2021.

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Damian Warner, who runs Steve's Fruit and Veg, said the market was so quiet that the few traders left had been forced to shout out to potential passing customers to come to their stalls.

Kirkgate Market in Leeds.Kirkgate Market in Leeds.
Kirkgate Market in Leeds.

The indoor and outdoor markets remain open for essentials.

Today (Thursday), trader representatives have welcomed the council's support.

Lisa Stebbings, representative of the outdoor market said: “Traders have asked me to express their thanks to the management and Leeds City Council for securing the rent reduction.

"This has made traders feel better about the coming months and will really help. It’s good to see the continued investment in Leeds Markets.”

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Lawrence Brown, representative of the indoor market, added: "Traders have been worried about how they will make their rent payments given the current situation and the continued support for them is very much appreciated.

"They are looking forward to a time when they can come back and trade and continue to be a vital part of retail in Leeds."

Since the first lockdown in March 2020, the council has supported traders with measures such payment plans in place to the end of March 2022 to allow traders to spread the payment of arrears accrued during the lockdown period.

Councillor Asghar Khan, Leeds City Council's deputy executive member with responsibility for markets, said: "While our essential businesses have been able to remain open and provide an invaluable service to the people of Leeds that we are very grateful for, I also appreciate and would also like to thank those forced to close under current measures for the sacrifice they have made again in these unprecedented times.

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"It is for this reason that since the first lockdown in March 2020, we have offered a meaningful package of support for all of our traders.

"By investing in and supporting our traders now, we are helping to secure a future for our independents at Leeds Kirkgate Market."

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