Is There A Glimmer Of Hope For Birkenhead Market
The fight to save a market that has just celebrated its 190th birthday has been ramped up following news a crisis-hit council is reviewing its regeneration schemes.
Wirral Council planned to close down the traditional covered market and create a food and drink hall nearby at a former Argos store.
Now three key decision-makers have stepped aside the new team wants an urgen reconsideration of the plan before a contract needs to be signed in September.
Campaigner Alan Featherstone, whose family run a long-established flower stall, said "There's no time for complacency just because they have put the brakes on. It is now more important than ever to push for the redevelopment of the current market rather than what they have proposed which has been widely criticised.
"I am continuing to press for the Argos scheme to be withdrawn so we can get down to preserving our heritage and the businesses of many local traders. I am encouraged that the old guard of decision-makers have left their posts and hope the new leader brings a fresh perspective."
The controversial project was implemented by the Labour group but was always opposed by the Green Party who continue to call for it to be scrapped.
But now Labour leader Paul Stuart has stepped down, council chief executive Paul Satoor has gone on sick leave and regeneration director Marcus Shaw is 'absent until further notice'.
No more details have been given by the council but it is widely thought new leader Paula Basnett is keen to foster a new approach to costly projects which are causing havoc around Birkenhead town centre.
The proposed £14m site just yards away from the current home in the town centre is being prepared by the council with support from a government fund but will contain just thirteen small units for traders. Most of the space is dedicated to food and drink outlets including a cocktail bar.
The development is a hammer blow to many traders with large retail spaces and histories going back decades. And some regard the move towards modernisation with some skepticism in a town already deserted by major retailers like Marks & Spencer and House of Fraser.