Lincoln market traders pack their bags as temporary stalls are proposed

Three market traders who have been affected by the redevelopment of the Lincoln Cornhill Quarter will be offered temporary stalls in City Square.

City of Lincoln Council has applied to construct three stalls for up to six months to allow the continued trading of fruit and vegetable and florist businesses currently located at Cornhill Market.

The first phase of Lincolnshire Co-op’s £12 million plans to revitalise the Cornhill Quarter was approved in October 2015.

Modern extensions to the Corn Exchange will be demolished, allowing views of the new facades from the High Street.

The plans, which will see modern extensions removed from the Corn Exchange and units created for new shops and restaurants, sparked objections from traders located in Central Market who faced relocation.

The city council has now proposed three traditional temporary stalls, which would be canvas covering a steel frame, and a steel container to the rear of the Central Market for overnight storage.

The stalls would be on the outside of the central market on City Square.

On submission of the plans, the council said offering fresh produce and creating a vibrant, sustainable market offering is a priority.

Proposals would see the three fresh produce traders take up their new stalls from Monday, April 11.

People will still be able to buy their fruit and vegetables from the Cornhill Market until the end of the day on Saturday, April 9.

The traders’ move will enable Lincolnshire Co-op to move ahead with its Cornhill Quarter regeneration scheme.

Antony Angus, Recreation Services Team Leader at the city council, said: “Our priority for the market is to make sure there is a fresh produce offer, alongside a range of other stalls offering high quality goods and services that people want, at a price they can afford.

“We’ve worked closely with traders and consulted with residents to improve our market offer and are delighted we have been able to accommodate the fruit and vegetable stalls, while also expanding the market out into City Square.

“We want our market to play a vital role in creating a vibrant and thriving city centre that people want to visit, and we are continuing with our wider plans to refurbish the Grade II listed market hall.”

Chairman of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership Photo: Steve Smailes for Lincolnshire Business

Lincolnshire Co-op Chief Executive Ursula Lidbetter said: “Our vision for the Cornhill Quarter is an area of the city where local, independent traders thrive, benefitting from increased footfall and operating alongside some of the national names who are keen to come to Lincoln. That’s why we’re investing in this £12m project to revitalise the area.

“Having a vibrant, successful and busy market has always been part of that vision and we’ve worked with City of Lincoln Council on its plans for a reconfigured Central Market.

“We know the provision of fresh produce like fruit and veg is a priority for the council.

“We’re pleased that the current traders are taking up the opportunity to continue to provide that service to people in the city, just steps from where they have been based previously.”

In the longer term, the city council plans to refurbish the market hall and is exploring options for more permanent outdoor stalls, and improved toilet facilities.

Earlier this year Full Circle Books and Cornhill Shoe Repairs also moved from the Cornhill to Central Market.

Other former Cornhill Market traders have moved to a variety of locations including Waterside South and Sincil Street.

Another, who runs the jacket potato stall, is set to relocate to a retro-style food van which will be sited on City Square, in place of the small kiosk near the entrance of the City Square Centre.

A variety of stalls in Central Market are still currently available to lease on daily or monthly packages.