Birkenhead traders fear Argos move will see 'demise of market town'

Traders fear they are "witnessing the demise of Birkenhead as a market town"

Traders at a market say they are worried about its future if is moved to a new location.

A decision over plans to move Birkenhead Market, Merseyside, into a former Argos store in the town will be made at a council meeting later.

Traders fear they are "witnessing the demise of Birkenhead as a market town".

Wirral Council said high footfall, transport links, and potential future housing developments in the area could see it become a success.

The authority's Regeneration Committee will decide whether to press ahead with the proposal to move the current market in from Grange Precinct to the former Argos store on Princes Pavements.

Market traders had asked for two options to be considered, including refurbishing the current market or moving it to St John's Pavement which is a busier area of town, according to a leaked report.

However the council report said both of these options were not deliverable either due to funds, size constraints, or the time it would take to deliver.

As of January 2024, 17,006 sq ft of the current market is occupied by 43 units.

Joe Orr said market traders had been promised they would all move into the new market

Wirral Council has commissioned architectural firm Corstorphine and Wright, as well as market specialist Raymond Linch from Market North West Limited, who said the new market should include kitchens and bars, hairdressers and beauticians as well as fresh food and general stores.

In his report Mr Linch said "many of the traders are 'filling' their space" but believed only 5,000 square feet of lettable space was actually needed.

Joe Orr, the head of the market tenants' association, said traders had previously been promised they would all be moving into the new market.

"This is now being taken away and I don't think the traders were aware of that and that there would be an application process for all traders," he said.

Tenants association vice-chair Greg McTigue said they were "witnessing the demise of Birkenhead as a market town", adding: "As far as we can see, they are just going to close what's left of the market when they want everybody to move but there's no provision for the larger store holders. For some people, it's their livelihoods. It's for people to pay their mortgage."

When previously asked why the council was putting Argos forward in December, Wirral Council leader Paul Stuart said the site had been put forward as it was a large building near to the current market.

He added: "The future of Birkenhead Market is of paramount importance. It will play a vital part in the regeneration plans for the town centre and the market must be delivered in the right way."

If planning is approved the market could move to the new site by February 2026.