Trading places...how Market Hall stallholders are making the switch to Eagle Market
TRADERS from Derby Market Hall say they already feel at home after moving to the Eagle Market last week.
Stallholders opened up their businesses on Tuesday, August 17 after leaving the Market Hall, in Tennant Street, in early June due to refurbishment work.
Since being served with section 25 eviction notices, they have moved into the Eagle Market, connected to the Derbion shopping centre.
They had previously had to leave the Grade IIlisted building so Derby City Council could carry out works on its roof, with traders working under scaffolding and a false ceiling since 2018.
But businesses who made the move have praised the warm welcome they have received from fellow businesses, with customers also beginning to get used to the change.
“It’s been quite positive so far. People have been very friendly and we’ve settled in as though we’ve always been here,” said Jackie Lewin, of S&J Lewin Ltd, a family butchers.
“We’ve had a busy week, a lot of people visiting us, but it will take a few weeks for people to find us again as we’ve been closed for 10 weeks.”
Businesses closed their doors in Market Hall on June 5 and were unable to open until last week as the country unlocked from coronavirus restrictions while they made their transition.
The structure is likely to be closed for more than two years while the renovations are completed, at a cost of around £16 million.
Traders join an already-wide variety of stalls in the Eagle Market, which include several cafes, fruit and veg stalls, cloth merchants, fashion stalls and more.
It’s making a big difference, and it’s nice to see that they’re busy because they’ve got people around them constantly. Donna Bell
Donna Bell, who owns the Bag Stall in the Eagle Market, has been on the site for three years, but the stall opposite had previously been vacant until the move. She said the change has had a positive impact.
She said: “It’s making a big difference and it’s nice to see that they’re busy because they’ve got people around them constantly. “They’ve got great food, too. I’ve tried food off each stall so far, and it’s lovely food at good prices.
“It does make a difference, and it looks so much brighter coming in
from the top of the market and looks much more appealing.
“We’re all friendly, we’re here for a chat and we want to help customers as best we can. Everybody is willing to help anyone.”
But not all customers have returned following the pandemic, with Donna describing the first few weeks as “touch and go” as punters got back into their shopping routines.
Businesses also said that not all their customers have made the transition to the Eagle Market, which is open from 9am - 5pm on Monday to Saturday.
Kevin Harkin, of Michael’s Deli, was in Market Hall for 21 years and has high hopes that their old customers will return alongside their new additions.
He said: “We were very apprehensive [about the move], but until you give it a go you don’t know, and things look quite positive at the moment so long may it last! A lot of my regulars have found us already and said they’ve been looking for me every week, so let’s hope the rest of them find us and that we pick up some new trade as well.
“We hope it gets busier, that Covid calms down even more and people feel more confident to come in shopping again.”