Traders call for Chichester market to move back to the city centre

Traders are calling for Chichester market to be moved back to the city centre following a drop in footfall and takings.
Market gardener James Bainbridge; Nick Warren and Sam Theuma. Photo by Nigel IskanderMarket gardener James Bainbridge; Nick Warren and Sam Theuma. Photo by Nigel Iskander
Market gardener James Bainbridge; Nick Warren and Sam Theuma. Photo by Nigel Iskander

The market has been held at the Cattle Market car park since it reopened in June after the lockdown as a health and safety measure, in order to reduce the number of people in the main high street at any one time.

But stall holders said the move was a ‘disaster’ which could kill off the market altogether and urged for it to return to a central location.

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Nick Warren 59, who has been selling towels and linenware at his market stall for the past 30 years, said: “I didn’t know they were going to move the market here.

Market gardener James Bainbridge, 34. Photo by Nigel IskanderMarket gardener James Bainbridge, 34. Photo by Nigel Iskander
Market gardener James Bainbridge, 34. Photo by Nigel Iskander

“I need to be in the city centre. Out here, my footfall is down by 80 per cent.

“My regular customers from the city centre who managed to find me here told me they had thought the market was still shut and they hadn’t realised we’d been moved to a car park until they found us by chance.

“We need it moved back to the street, where people expect it to be.”

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Andy Matthie, 62, who has been at Chichester market selling shoes since he was 18, said: “We’ve been forgotten.

Nick Warren 59, who has been selling towels and linenware at his stall for the past 30 years. Photo by Nigel IskanderNick Warren 59, who has been selling towels and linenware at his stall for the past 30 years. Photo by Nigel Iskander
Nick Warren 59, who has been selling towels and linenware at his stall for the past 30 years. Photo by Nigel Iskander

“I genuinely feel the council has let the people of Chichester down. People have been used to a Wednesday market in the town for years.

“It’s central and bring lots of people into the centre of the town, which benefits everyone - shoppers, retailers and the market traders alike.

“It also means it’s easier for the elderly to reach the market.

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“I’ve seen some of my regulars be dropped off in a taxi, but they are not happy about it.

Sam Theuma, 59, who manages Chichester market for Bray Associates. Photo by Nigel IskanderSam Theuma, 59, who manages Chichester market for Bray Associates. Photo by Nigel Iskander
Sam Theuma, 59, who manages Chichester market for Bray Associates. Photo by Nigel Iskander

“We’ve seen footfall drop by well over 25 per cent and that means our takings are down substantially also. We can’t carry on like this.

“Other towns, like Fareham, Winchester, Little Hampton, Waterlooville and others have successfully bought back their town centre markets, so why won’t Chichester council support this historic market in the same way.

“Being in the car park is a disaster, they are going to kill it off.”

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Market gardener James Bainbridge, 34, said: “My stall has always been very popular, but the Covid-19 epidemic and lockdown really hurt us in the spring like all other market gardeners.

The market at the car park. Photo by Nigel IskanderThe market at the car park. Photo by Nigel Iskander
The market at the car park. Photo by Nigel Iskander

“But moving the market to this car park out of the town centre has been a double disaster.

“Our takings are down by 50 per cent.

“Many of my customers didn’t even know where we are now based. It’s a disgrace.

“The customers don’t like leaving the town centre to come here it’s out of the way and we’re missing all the passing trade.

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“I can see no good reason why we can’t go back to the city centre now.

“Chichester has had a market in the town for about 400 years and that’s where everyone expects to find it.”

The market at the car park. Photo by Nigel IskanderThe market at the car park. Photo by Nigel Iskander
The market at the car park. Photo by Nigel Iskander

Sam Theuma, who manages the market for Bray Associates, says that although the company paid the council fees in advance for the year to site stalls in the city centre – in North Street and East Street – traders were moved to the car park ‘with little or no consultation with Bray Assoc or the stallholders’.

Customer Matt Smith, a 45-year-old university lecturer said: “Personally, I don’t mind where I shop, but for the good of the town and tourists, the market should be back in the centre.

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“It’s been there for hundreds of years and that’s where it should stay, not in a carpark on the edge of the centre.”

Chichester councillor Sarah Sharp said: “We have a Covid-19 city centre recovery group and we hope to have a market representation on this.

“The market should be in the town centre where it’s available to everyone.

“It has been reported there are around 400 markets in the UK under threat, we must make sure this historic market isn’t one of them.

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“The market can also offer people who may have lost their jobs, to have an avenue to start their own business and be able to make a living.

“I fully support bring the market back to the centre streets and disappointed some of my council colleagues aren’t doing more to rectify the situation before we lose any more traders.”

Chichester District Council said it recognised the important role that markets play in the city centre, but said this had to be balanced with the COVID health and safety measures.

A spokesman said: “A number of factors need to be considered before the Wednesday market can return to the city centre.

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“We have to ensure there is unobstructed passage through the pedestrianised streets so that social distancing can be maintained and we also need to ensure that certain areas are kept free for emergency vehicle access.

“We are currently working with the market operator, Brays, in relation to their temporary location at the Cattle Market car park.

“In due course we will require them to provide the necessary information needed so that we can carry out a detailed risk assessment surrounding a potential return to the precinct.”

The spokesman addded: “We have been in regular contact with Brays regarding the re-opening of the high street following this year’s unprecedented situation.

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“In June, we conducted an audit looking at how the area could be reopened safely.

“Because of the COVID-related health and safety issues, we offered Brays the opportunity to move to a temporary location if they and their traders were happy to do so, rather than them not being able to trade at all.

“After consulting with their traders, Brays accepted this offer.