Traders split over plans for major market shake-up

Norwich market is one of the oldest open-air markets in Britain

Traders on an historic marketplace have said they are split over proposals for a major refurbishment.

Norwich City Council has begun consulting on plans which could see a central court added to the site, which has been home to stalls for more than 900 years.

Sophie Daniels, who runs a jewellery business on the market in Norwich city centre, said a redesign was vital as "the market is fairly dated in its current form".

But greeting cards stallholder Ray Harvey expressed concern "an in-depth refurbishment" risked disrupting trade too much.

When the last major redevelopment of the market took place in 2006, the council said it was concerned "ageing infrastructure" meant it failed to "maximise its full potential".

Along with improvements including CCTV and new roller shutters for stalls, it has put forward three options for a new look, with one being a covered arcade running through the middle of the market.

A number of smaller squares and a central court, which could also be used as a performance space, are the other possibilities.

"I think it'd be a really positive thing" said Tori Fama

Tori Fama, who sells baked goods and desserts, favoured the central court idea.

"I think it'd help to really renew the market and give it a lease of life," she said

"I think it lends itself to having events on the market and having a better zone for people to sit safely and eat."

Mohammed Haroon Attaie hopes a revamp will help business

At the cookware stall he has run for two years, Mohammed Haroon Attaie said his business was "struggling".

"I try everything but it doesn't work. I think a change would be good for the market and might help everybody."

Sophie Daniels said it is vital for the market to be redeveloped

Sophie Daniels, who moved her jewellery business to a stall two years ago, said the last shake-up of the market had not taken into account that more food traders would move in.

She said centring them around an arcade could "create an amazing environment."

"The market is fairly dated in its current form.

"At busy times we have lots of long queues going across each other. We don't have nice wide aisles for people to move through," she added.

Ray Harvey warns a major refurbishment could disrupt trade too much

Not everyone is keen on a redevelopment though.

Greeting cards trader Ray Harvey – whose business "could be better, but could be worse as well" – felt an in-depth refurbishment was unnecessary.

He said "the general appearance around the outside of the market" could be spruced up.

"I think there could be one or two improvements without upsetting the traders too much."

"I like Norwich market as it is," said Billie Waring

And for Billie Waring, who works on a fruit and veg stall, the only upgrade needed was to the market's much-maligned toilets – which she called "the last resort".

"I don't think it [the market] really needs changing. I think people are happy with where things are – they know how it works here and who everyone is."

"Don't fix it if it's not broken," she said.

A city council survey on its proposals for the market ends on Wednesday.