Market traders complain hoardings hit trade

Market traders have said they could be forced to close, because they have been hidden by hoardings.

The boards have been put up around Coventry's City Centre South development and traders said customers have been staying away, because they think Coventry Market is shut.

One said: "I'm taking approximately 50% of what I was taking".

The city council said it was talking to the traders, had installed clear signage and was promoting the fact it was open for business.

Mali Vazifehdan runs Brown Stitch Clothing Alterations in the market, and said since the hoardings went up, trade was down: "I used to have long queues for my stall.

"All of my customers are calling to ask if we have closed down and I tell them 'no' we are still open.

"I have been here since 2014 and I'm having to take larger orders of 75 items or more just to cover the rent because I have fewer customers.

"It's getting worse every day."

Bernie Donnelly, who runs the key cutting and shoe repair stall in the market, told BBC CWR: "I've got three generations of people that come to see me and they still do, but it has impacted a lot even on me, for newcomers, it's hammered them."

Meanwhile Terry Payne, who has run the Designer Rugs stall at the market for the last four years, said: "I'm taking approximately 50% of what I was taking before.

"We need help with the rent. The traders won't be here by Christmas if we don't get any assistance."

Christopher Charley runs the perfume and cosmetics stall, and is also secretary of the Indoor Market Traders Committee.

He is organising a protest on 24 July , and said: "We're in a really difficult situation. The development is right on our doorstep and the market hasn't been taken into consideration.

"It's severely restricted our footfall, and no one is doing anything about it."

The council said the planned £450m transformation of the centre of Coventry would mean 1,000 new homes, places to work, a hotel, cinema, retail and restaurants.

The project will include the transformation of City Arcade, Bull Yard, Market Way, Shelton Square and Hertford Street.

In a statement, it said it would continue to work closely with market traders as the scheme progresses.

Project developers, The Hill Group, have also previously said they were happy to meet with traders and Coventry City Council to discuss concerns.

The council also said that as a result of the redevelopment, the market position would be improved, with better and more visible access. 

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