In Pictures: Sheffield's Castle Market
- Published
Traders at Sheffield's Castle Market are shutting up their stores for the final time, as the market is moving to a new complex on The Moor. The 1959 market building will be demolished as part of plans to revitalise Castlegate and allow remains of the 12th Century Sheffield Castle to be excavated.
It is Sheffield's largest indoor market and has over 200 stalls offering goods ranging from fresh produce to homewares and fashion. In 2010 an anonymous request for it to be listed as a modern brutalist building was rejected by English Heritage.
Opinion among traders at the market is split over the move to the Moor Market, with some criticising the cost of rents on the new site. Bob Wade (above) said: "I've been in the market for 35 years - it’s sad but we’ve got to move on. We’re ready for a new start."
Andrew Hudson (right), of Waterall Brothers, has worked at Castle market for 26 years but said the move was long overdue. He said: "We are really looking forward to it. It's going to be a really positive move for us. We've been looking forward to this for many years."
However, Mr Hudson said he would still be sad to leave Castle Market. "I've been here since I was 16. I've seen lots of changes and lots of great characters. We will be sad to see it go."
In 1996 Sheffield City council announced a multi-million pound scheme to transform Castlegate Markets to mark the 700th anniversary of the Royal Charter to hold markets and fairs in Sheffield being granted by Edward I to Thomas de Furnival.
Dean Batty (right), of Bunting and Son said he was hopeful existing customers like George (centre) would begin shopping at the new market. "I think our customers will transfer across, we’ve known them years," he said. "The market needs to take the competition and the banter with us, it’s what gives a market it’s atmosphere."
Trading at Castle Market will cease on Saturday before starting again at the new £18m market complex on 25 November at 10:00 GMT. The new market building holds 196 stalls.
- Published26 April 2012