Leicester city council has announced that Beaumont Market, located in Beaumont Leys, will close from September this year in light of current and predicted trading losses.
The 15 traders currently operating there are being offered stalls at Leicester Market until planned redevelopment work begins in October.
Peter Chandler, head of economic regeneration at the city council, said: “Shopping habits have changed since the market opened in the 1980’s, and there has been a gradual decline in shopping there over several years. This has resulted in fewer stallholders and a reduction in the income needed to give the market a viable future.
“We are in the process of giving the current stallholders notice to leave, and talking to them about whether they wish to take up the offer of trading space at Leicester Market.
“We realise this will be disappointing news and it is not a decision we have taken lightly. We will be doing all we can to help the traders find alternative places to trade, either at Leicester Market or in other suitable council-owned premises.”
The council is looking at the options for selling the land on which the market operates, next to Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre.
Work is set to begin on the redevelopment of Leicester’s historic city centre market in the autumn.
During the refurbishment, traders at Leicester Market will be temporarily relocated to Green Dragon Square, behind the Corn Exchange.
Improvements to Leicester Market will include more than 80 new stalls, new lighting, green roofs and solar panels, new paving around the market and more outdoor seating.
