Leeds Labour hails Kirkgate Market achievements - but campaigners say more to be done

A good start - but there's lots more to do! That was the message from a group of Leeds shoppers and traders championing Leeds' Kirkgate Market. The Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market group has welcomed the work of the new Labour administration in attempting to turn around the fortunes of the struggline market - but said unaffordable rents and charges were still a major issue. Their comments follow a press release issued this week by the Leeds Labour group, entitled 'Kirkgate Market – This is the REAL story'. In the release, Leeds Markets Champion and Labour councillor Mark Dobson detailed a number of initiatives he claims have been implemented since Labour took control of the council in May. But Sara Gonzales, from the Friends, said: "FoLKM really welcomes all these positive initiatives and we acknowledge that there has been a change of attitude since Labour took office; a greater championing of the market by councilors for instance. "It is still early days of this administration and some of the announced improvements (like the appointment of a manager or the £250,000 in capital investment) had actually been already agreed by the previous Tory/Lib Dem coalition. "The business support fund agreed last December is surely helping traders but unaffordable rents and charges are still an issue. We are looking forward to the publication of the draft market strategy that the council has been working on and we hope that it reflects the vital economic but also social role that the Market plays in the city." A spokesperson for the Leeds Market Traders Federation did not reply to my emailed invitation to comment. Press release Leeds Labour's press release reads: "The Labour Administration in control of Leeds City Council is, literally, putting its money where its mouth is to make sure it delivers the promises made to the traders of Kirkgate Market. Since taking over in May of this year, there have been many improvements, including:- * Appointing Councillor Mark Dobson as Markets Champion, to focus on the real issues facing traders and to try to find solutions; * A 50% reduction in the amount traders pay to use the area in front of their stalls to display their goods (the yellow line rate) * No increase in the service charge despite the increased opening hours on Wednesdays. * Appointed an independent rent reviewer, to review traders' stall rents * Despite a Council-wide freeze on recruitment, the markets service has been able to advertise for a permanent markets manager, to deliver a wide range of improvements across all Leeds markets; * Although money is very tight due to the new Government's drastic cuts in funding, £1/4m has been found to make improvements to the market, and traders are working together with management on a list of priorities to spend it on * The 'Real Deal' initiative launched last week reassures shoppers that all the goods for sale on the market are genuine * Footfall in the market is up considerably on Wednesdays due to the opening of the specialist bazaar boasting over 160 stalls. * A full condition survey of the market halls has been done, to help the Council decide on priority repairs * Greater flexibility for stall holders in these uncertain economic times. * Opening of brand new stalls including Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food and the Job Shop * Successful launch of the market website Contrary to recent rumours, the £250,000 business support grant scheme has not been withdrawn but has made offers of funding worth £186,000 (£112,000 to market traders to date), with more than £50k left in the pot to be spent by the time the scheme comes to an end in March next year. The scheme provides funding tailored towards traders' needs, such as stall improvements, marketing, and rent relief, and includes dedicated support from a business adviser. Councillor Mark Dobson (Markets Champion) said: "Long before Labour took over, we were working with traders to highlight the problems facing them, and so it is great to now be in a position to fulfil our promise to help them with some practical support. We've pulled out all the stops to make half a million pounds available for projects they themselves have identified as a priority – and the appointment of a permanent markets manager should ensure that some real improvements start to take shape." What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.