Indoor market at risk as owner wants to build homes

Birmingham Indoor Market could be knocked down for housing

The owner of Birmingham's Bull Ring Indoor Market has told traders it is considering demolishing it and replacing it with housing.

The landmark building includes one of the largest fish markets in the UK and traders have been operating there for decades.

Sellers received a letter this week informing them bosses want to build apartments, student accommodation or a mixture of both.

But the company behind the plans stressed it was just an application at this stage.

The market is located on the ground floor of the Edgbaston Street Car Park, which is currently owned by property giant Hammerson.

But it is run by Birmingham City Council and the local authority provides traders with their leases.

While some sellers hold leases permitting them to stay until 2027, the BBC understands a 20-plus year clause can now be exercised by Hammerson.

It means that if the housing application is approved, Birmingham City Council's control would cease with traders being compensated and moved out.

Trainee chef Amy said she felt sad to hear the market could be closing

Shoppers and traders who spoke to BBC News on Wednesday said they believed the market should stay.

Amy Richardson, a trainee chef, said she visited the market to get her ingredients including fish and fresh produce.

"It's good and friendly and when you get to know people they give you great deals," she said.

"It would suck for the vendors and people like me who come here to get all the fresh stuff.

"It seems to be somewhere locals use more than anybody so I think everybody would be upset."

'Significant opportunity'

The surrounding area is currently undergoing a large regeneration including the £1.9bn Smithfield development which was approved in June.

The plans for that scheme include residential living, offices, a park and retail and cultural spaces.

The Smithfield plans will also include some kind of market trading space and Hammerson hopes some traders from the Bull Ring Indoor Market could move there.

But it is possible businesses could be moved out before the new market is operational.

Hammerson said it was a long-term investor in Birmingham and had played an integral role in its transformation the city centre.

"The proposed redevelopment of Edgbaston Street Car Park continues the repositioning of our wider Birmingham Estate and provides a significant opportunity to invest in, diversify and strengthen the city centre," a statement read.

"The proposal also responds to the city’s evolving needs including sustainable modes of transport and demand for new homes from a burgeoning young and professional demographic.

"We look forward to providing more updates in due course.”