Plans to demolish part of Doncaster's historic market to expand car park

Plans to demolish part of Doncaster's historic market to make way for a bigger car park are being considered in a bid to entice new traders and customers.
Nigel Berry and Darren Proctor, Doncaster Fish Market traders pictured. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP 13-01-15 Market MC 2Nigel Berry and Darren Proctor, Doncaster Fish Market traders pictured. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP 13-01-15 Market MC 2
Nigel Berry and Darren Proctor, Doncaster Fish Market traders pictured. Picture: Marie Caley NDFP 13-01-15 Market MC 2

Council bosses confirmed knocking down part of the Irish Middle Market to expand the car park is among a range of options being considered in a bid to ‘revitalise’ the market.

The move comes after figures revealed one in three stalls are currently standing empty on the once bustling market.

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Doncaster Market Traders’ Federation official Nigel Berry gave a cautious welcome.

He said: “There’s been talk of this happening for the last 30 years so I’m slightly sceptical, but extending the car park would help increase footfall which would be a good thing for the market as a whole.

“The council need to make sure that in doing that they keep the traders who have already got stalls on the Irish Middle Market and make sure they are looked after.

“A lot of units on that part of the market can’t be let out as they’re in a bad condition and are due for development.

“We’ve not had any indication when this will happen.”

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Dave Wilkinson, the council’s assistant director of trading services and assets, said the plans were in the early stages but one of the considerations would be to remove some or all of the stalls in the Irish Middle Market to extend the car park.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said both traders and members of the public had indicated they would like to see more parking in the area.

She added: “Doncaster remains one of the largest markets in Britain, however, at over 400 stalls the existing market is possibly too large, with a notable number of empty stalls and some areas that require investment including the Irish Middle Market area.”

The news comes as it was revealed 28 per cent of the Irish Middle Market is standing empty as seven out of 25 units cannot be let out due to health and safety issues.