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York Road Market faces closure threat

7:36pm Wednesday 14th October 2009 in


Southend’S York Road market could shut down within days following a damning report by health and safety consultants.

Traders, who had been lead to believe Southend Council might carry out urgent repairs to the crumbling Victorian market, had their hopes dashed when they received letters yesterday summoning them to an emergency meeting at the Civic Centre.

FULL STORY IN THURSDAY'S ECHO

Comments(41)

guygrim says...
7:44pm Wed 14 Oct 09

As a volunteer at at Credit Union which is in York Road market, that instead of threatening to close the market the council should have done more to maintain it better.

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S6girly says...
7:58pm Wed 14 Oct 09

Are the Council going to compensate the current tenants and help them find new premises? Some of those shops have been there for many years. Surely they wouldn't want to move to far out.

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SARFENDMAN says...
8:29pm Wed 14 Oct 09

Sort of modern day "Rackman" Landords The Council? It's that "shower" that needs closing down. What a fabulous example they set. Shame on them. All the hype about a caring Council that will refurbish this Old Market appears hollow, just like all the other plans they spout forth.

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152 says...
8:53pm Wed 14 Oct 09

What about moving it to Woolworths - would be quick to set up a temporary market it that old place.

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southendreb says...
6:11am Thu 15 Oct 09

once again if yo are a southender you get secnd class treatment perhaps someone from outside wants it for an art project

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Francis Grubb says...
6:28am Thu 15 Oct 09

York Road market is an asset to the town that the Council should have looked after and capitalised on. Instead, they stick a poorly-thought through 'travel centre' next to it and let the actual market decline.

Far be it from me to imply any ill intent here, but it sure looks to me that the Council have always wanted to get rid of the market & are rubbing their hands together now they appear to have an excuse to raze it to the ground.

If this happens, it will only confirm suspicions in my mind that the Council truly have no idea how to pull Southend into the 21st century whilst preserving its Victorian heritage.

Frank

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Peter Pantsless says...
9:51am Thu 15 Oct 09

Its a known fact that Southend council has been intentionally running the place down for many years.
.
The historical significance of the market is irrelevant to then,
all they can see is pound signs rolling before thier eyes regarding its real estate value.
.
The markets location and its adjoining car park is a consultants heaven.
.
The traders dont stand a chance with Southend council attitude and policies towards making the quick buck at the expense of the towns future well being.
.
Is it just me our can anyone elese see the similarity between what the southend tories are doing know and what Thatcher did?
(sell off all our assetts to make the quick buck, and let future generations suffer because of it!)

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Little Dave says...
12:38pm Thu 15 Oct 09

Excellent news, close it down, there certainly are many problems here and Health and Safety concerns are certainly one of them.

While we are talking about this let us see if the Council can stop the family that continually abuse the parking regulations there by parking their great big white van outside their shop all day on a disabled badge - an absolute disgrace. Moreover, the foul abuse that comes out of the mouths of the owner of the van and shop is unbelievable.

Actually, there is a lot of illegal parking going on in this road. Many or the owners of the shops here play games with the traffic wardens on this road and it needs to stop. They run out of their shops when a warden approaches. If they really cared they would leave the parking spaces for shoppers.


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Taylor and Son says...
12:45pm Thu 15 Oct 09

As the owner of Southend's leading independant jeweller which is opposite the market, I cannot stress enough that the market's closure is not due to a lack of funding. I personally formed a consortium of local businessmen with the idea of purchasing the market and transforming it to it's former glory.
This was considered by Southend Council, who decided they had other plans in place and declined my offer.
I cannot stress enough how sympathetic I am towards the traders of the market. We have a fantastic community spirit among all the traders in York Road and once again the council appears to not care.
After the bus station was re-located no attempt was made to encourage the public's awareness of York Road. We were all ordered to remove any advertising boards from around the bus station railings. This was also apparently on the grounds of health and safety.
Over the past few months there has been a maintenance company working over the market-- WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY !!! why paint floors etc when there was obviously more immediate work that needed to be done. Is this a case of jobs for the boys or just gross incompetence.
James Taylor

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Winston Smith says...
1:05pm Thu 15 Oct 09

Health and blo0dy safety nazis again! Its about time we got rid of these health and safety jobsworths, they are ruining our environments. Its about time these p0xy nanny state servants realise you can't wrap the whole bl0ody world in cotton wool!

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Southchurch Steve says...
1:32pm Thu 15 Oct 09

What does the report say? Is it just a case of repairs are necessary? Is it to be condemned?

The town should be encouraging these independent traders from York Road market. Who is going to visit Southend to go to a chain store when there's a bigger and better one in Lakeside where you can park for free?

These little shops are the way forward - look at Brighton. The North Laine is heaving as people potter about in the independent shops, and that encourages independent cafes and bars.

Let's stop the cloning process of High Streets. Let's break out and have something to be proud of.

The idea of taking over Woolies as a giant indoor arcade is a cracker - let's do it SBC!!

Cheap rent, and then limit the amount of retail space allotted to encourage a variety of small traders.

You realy could do this.

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cris300 says...
2:06pm Thu 15 Oct 09

about time... the place is a bloody eyesore..tatty shops...it looks like a third world market!!!!

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southendreb says...
3:15pm Thu 15 Oct 09

I think we ought to report the rip off landlords to the council asa they want to clamp down on landlords mr flewitt putting it in a shop like woolworths does not work been tried before.
an opportunity lost was the victoria shopping centre, it should have been turned into smaller affordable units renamed the talza arcade
surely betterer than it is now




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152 says...
4:04pm Thu 15 Oct 09

putting it in a shop like woolworths does not work been tried before

It would at least save the market temporarily whilst repairs are made.

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Southchurch Steve says...
4:07pm Thu 15 Oct 09

It works in Rayleigh.

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anon anon says...
4:36pm Thu 15 Oct 09

cris300 wrote:
about time... the place is a bloody eyesore..tatty shops...it looks like a third world market!!!!
agree. its s..t hole. like the high street...........

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S6girly says...
5:07pm Thu 15 Oct 09

Pull it down by all means if needs must. Just give the tenants more than three days to pack up and move their businesses elsewhere. Buying your cards and fruit and vegetables at another shop is one thing, what about those people who's benefits, savings and rent money are tied up in a Credit Union Bank Account? Those volunteers work wonders in that place.

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djna73 says...
5:36pm Thu 15 Oct 09

Little Dave wrote:
Excellent news, close it down, there certainly are many problems here and Health and Safety concerns are certainly one of them.

While we are talking about this let us see if the Council can stop the family that continually abuse the parking regulations there by parking their great big white van outside their shop all day on a disabled badge - an absolute disgrace. Moreover, the foul abuse that comes out of the mouths of the owner of the van and shop is unbelievable.

Actually, there is a lot of illegal parking going on in this road. Many or the owners of the shops here play games with the traffic wardens on this road and it needs to stop. They run out of their shops when a warden approaches. If they really cared they would leave the parking spaces for shoppers.

For starters lets set the record straight the majority of the shop owners/works actually use the car park provide for them at the back of the market, secondly doesnt anyone care that aaprt of our history is about to be torn down, the council are claiming that they may do the repairs that are required but this will take upto 18 months to do, what a load of rubbish if they actually cared about the market they would have started doing omething way before the report came, it's yet another fine example of what the council can't do for you, they've left the pier to rot and they are meant to speak for the people i don't think, instead of putting that stupid millenium clock up 9 years ago which has hardly ever worked they should have put the money into the market. come southend council sort your lives out, i feel sorry for everyone that works at the market they have put their hearts and souls into it and now have been stabbed in the back

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TseTse says...
6:16pm Thu 15 Oct 09

I thought it was shut last time I went by

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bilbyboy says...
6:44pm Thu 15 Oct 09

More health and safety rubbish, look this market has been going since the year dot, how many people have been hurt, injured or died as a direct result of this market? i have £10 that says that someone (with big money) has plans for this plot, so the ever gracious MP's and councillors have found a way to oblige. Keep this market for the people who need it, the public.

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SARFENDMAN says...
6:48pm Thu 15 Oct 09

Lets face anything "Heritage" in Southend suffers neglect. The Pier Southend's Best Asset and World Known Landmark is a disgrace. Same landlords.

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brianmartin says...
7:43pm Thu 15 Oct 09

What a disgusting lot this council are. They obviously have no compation for the traders who have soldiered on for years while getting no help whatsoever from this pathetic excuse for a council. They should at least do the right thing and give them more time, they have let it run down for years so a few more weeks is not going to matter.

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nitecard says...
9:15pm Thu 15 Oct 09

I've known the market since I was a boy, when my father had his office nearby.

I have always felt that the market is an opportunity that has been wasted.

Restore it and let it become a feature that Southend can be proud of.

I can't believe the ignorance of those that have stated here that it should be levelled!!! why? why do they care??

I do agree that there are vested interests at work.

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Southendman says...
9:35pm Thu 15 Oct 09

whats the betting this place be flatten in a few weeks, cleared and detailed plans for expensive apartment flats revealed that where clearly started months ago! Wonder when and where the brown enveolpe with used notes were handed over between a tory councillor and a member of the health & safety dept?????????

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yayyay says...
10:22pm Thu 15 Oct 09

anon anon wrote:
cris300 wrote: about time... the place is a bloody eyesore..tatty shops...it looks like a third world market!!!!
agree. its s..t hole. like the high street...........
I agree. i only ever use it as a cut through to the car park. I think some of the stuff sold by traders has been in the shops since the market opened!!

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Colin L says...
10:31pm Thu 15 Oct 09

This is another example of a council out of control. They do not act in the interests of the people who pay their wages or vote for them. The cabinet (or dictatorship as they would be better described) do what is right for them. They have shown a total lack of due deligence to protect the assets and estates of this town - the peir, the cliffs, the high street and now York Road Market. Perhaps their bed partner Keymed could find some cash for a worthwhile cause for once rather than pointless speed cameras on the poorly maintained A127.

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The Secondhand Shop says...
11:35am Fri 16 Oct 09

Little Dave wrote:
Excellent news, close it down, there certainly are many problems here and Health and Safety concerns are certainly one of them. While we are talking about this let us see if the Council can stop the family that continually abuse the parking regulations there by parking their great big white van outside their shop all day on a disabled badge - an absolute disgrace. Moreover, the foul abuse that comes out of the mouths of the owner of the van and shop is unbelievable. Actually, there is a lot of illegal parking going on in this road. Many or the owners of the shops here play games with the traffic wardens on this road and it needs to stop. They run out of their shops when a warden approaches. If they really cared they would leave the parking spaces for shoppers.
Well now LITTLE Dave, you've just about summed yourself up, Little Guts, Little Spine, and Little Knowledge about a subject and someone you don't know or know anything about, (or do you?). As a 70 year old recipient of TWO complete hip replacements, cancer of the bladder (in remission) and shortly due for a knee operation, I take it I am the blue badge holder you accusingly refer to. It appears that the only big thing about you is your mouth, so what about putting a name to your comments. Here's mine Jimmy Tong of The Secondhand Shop. I have nothing to hide or be ashamed of except helping the less fortunate. It's wonderful that there is folk like James Taylor of Taylor and Son Jewellers in this world, at least they do not hide behind their lack of courage and we know who we are talking to.

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rebecca Levy says...
12:03pm Fri 16 Oct 09

Well, bang goes one of the only pieces of Southend town centre which weren't chain store giants charging ridiculous prices.

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Rayleigh mum says...
1:07pm Fri 16 Oct 09

I agree with an earlier post - why not use the cavernous empty shell of Woolworths to create an indoor market place that Southend could be proud of? It has worked very well in Rayleigh for many years now, and would solve the problem of a large empty retail unit and the problem of the evicted market traders in one go. OK so they would be in the High Street and not off the beaten track, but surely that would be better for trade? York Road market has been getting more and more rundown for years now, and it would be an improvement to get rid and improve the surrounding area of the new bus terminal which would maybe encourage people to get off the bus and explore Southend when the bus pulls in and not take one look and carry on to somewhere more appealing.
Rant over

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Mike Smith says...
9:34pm Fri 16 Oct 09

I noticed today that there was talk of the market closing within 3 days!! Businesses are going to close forever, and people will lose their jobs.

I know that this market appears to be run down, but this is a part of the heritage of Southend, and if it is demolished what replaces it will never make up for the lost atmosphere of this truly unique part of the town.

I remember when the market was lost in Grays - that was an interesting old part of that town and it just disappeared, to be replaced by grass and tower blocks. Don't ruin one of the most interesting parts of Southend, because in the years to come you will regret it, and it will have gone forever.

Will anybody lie on the ground to confront the bulldozers? Are the people of Southend just as spineless as they are in other parts of the country when confronted by "developers". Don't let this market go!!

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Mike Smith says...
11:45pm Fri 16 Oct 09

I understand that Laura Smith of the Echo is supporting the campaign to prevent the closure of the York Road Market. Let us hope that common sense will prevail, and that the market can be saved for the community.

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Mike Smith says...
12:28am Sat 17 Oct 09

I have sent a message to James Duddridge MP, and I hope that he will raise the matter of the York Road Market at the highest level with Southend-on-Sea Council. Please contact James Duddridge if you want him to keep the Market open, his e-mail address is: duddridgej@parliamen
t.uk

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Soozie says...
1:12pm Sat 17 Oct 09

Just been to the Happy Pear green grocer in the market and they were told Wednesday evening that they have to be out end of day today. Also was told that the market will be ripped down and for the interm the parking lot extended - to rake in the cash for the Christmas shoppers.

This council is pure evil and as corrupt as they get!!

Pay back time next election.

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Mike Smith says...
4:35am Sun 18 Oct 09

It is clear from the report presented to Southend Council on 16 September 2003 that York Road Market tenants were to be prevented from taking out long leases. That was the date (6 years ago) when conditions were set to make it easier to close the market.

This is an important point from which to judge the claimed closure of the market on "health & safety" grounds, because it proves that the Council has done nothing to improve health and safety in those past 6 years.

This bit of underhanded strategy is typical of the secretive and hypocritical way our Council operates, and it wouldn't surprise me if several of the Council's Members have a personal interest in the contracts that will now be handed out to redevelop the market area.

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Soozie says...
3:13pm Sun 18 Oct 09

Additionally, these traders were given compensation from our council tax dollars which adds injury to insult. Whilst I do not in any way begrudge them the money, I think it totally hypocritical that the amount of money paid out in compensation would have brought the market up to standard!

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Nebs says...
8:25pm Sun 18 Oct 09

Is it too late to apply to have it listed?
.
http://www.buildingc
onservation.com/arti
cles/listit/listit.h
tm

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Southendman says...
8:44pm Sun 18 Oct 09

This Tory Council have always hated small/independant shops. The appalling treatment of businesses booted out of Victoria Shopping centre, outragous fees for advertisement boards, action against Van Looy in Clifftown Road which he fought and won for doing up a shabby shop unit, etc etc. But on the other hand nothing but crawling to big stores that are in every town centre in the land making a fortune from slaves abroad. Lets not forget the fact tory councillor wifes dont go near southend shops, the pamper pooches always in Chelmsford or Lakeside spending all our council tax money!

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Frame-it says...
10:22pm Mon 19 Oct 09

Just like to say, being a market trader, with the closure of the market this does not mean the end for most of the businesses in the market as many including myself are in the process of finding alternative premises, due to the timescale we have been given it has been near impossible to get back up and running within 5 days. The public support has been brilliant, i hope that the market will be restored to its former glory and stay apart of the history of southend.

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SARFENDMAN says...
7:24am Tue 20 Oct 09

Many of the older generation are still bitter about the loss of The Talza Arcade at the end of the 1960's. Southend Council never learn from the mistakes made in the past.

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beau27 says...
7:59pm Tue 20 Oct 09

The council have treated my partner and all the other traders like rubbish its a disgrace how they have treated them, the market could have been maintained over the years but no the council just sit on it and let it get in a state and then throw out the health and safety card out which i think is a load of crap they obviously have someone ready to buy the property and just want an easy way out, i wish all the other traders good luck with finding future premises seeing as they have been given just three days to close, my partner owns a shop in york road and with christmas coming they really have left us in trouble, trying to find a new shop and set up the buissness again so how are we supposed to earn anything in this time, i really hope the council sleep easy with this Decision and hope nobody ever gets treated in the alwful way they have treated the traders in york road market again.

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BUNGIE says...
11:43pm Wed 21 Oct 09

. I just want to thank the traders for being there when I needed fabric, ribbons, zips, greeting cards, fruit and veg, handbags, bric-a-brac , husband haircuts ,cups of tea, great alterations and the rest ! Good luck to you all and hope to see you elsewhere very soon.

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