10,000 back Leeds Kirkgate Market campaign

A petition with 10,000 signatures is calling on Leeds council to take action to improve Kirkgate Market amid concerns that time is 'running out' for some traders. The petition, put together by the Friends of Kirkgate Market group, calls on the council to lower stall rents, invest significantly in the market and give traders more share in the management of the market. It will be presented to market managers next Wednesday, 2 February at noon, at one of the market's most established businesses, the Whitaker Farmhouse Eggs stall. The presentation comes at a pivotal moment for the market. The council last week launched a public consultation into the future of the facilities, which traders feel have been neglected over the years. The consultation also asks whether traders should take over the day-to-day running of the market and what people believe is the right size of the market. Leeds Kirkgate Market on Dipity . An independent council watchdog is currently holding an inquiry into the future of the facilities and the council has already embarked on putting together a long-term strategy for the largest indoor market in Europe. A Friends spokeswoman said: "This is a really important moment as the council is currently discussing the future strategy for the market and we are worried about their plans. We need everyone to show support and solidarity with market traders." A traders spokeswoman said: "10,000 signatures really does show the strength of feeling Leeds people have for their market and I'd like to thank everyone for their support so far. It's so important we show the council that the people of Leeds are really behind their market and are tired of it being neglected." The Friends of Kirkgate Market has expressed its concern about the emerging strategy being put together by the council. The group says it is 'concerned about some of the assumptions and propositions' being put forward by the council. Their full concerns can be read over at their blog . The petition can still be signed online here . The council's public consultation can be found here . What do you think? Have your say in the comments section below.