‘Next step’ plan for food village scheme
Senior councillors will be asked to approve a package of measures that could pave the way for the opening of a major new food and drink venue at Leeds Kirkgate Market. Positive public feedback has been received since Leeds City Council announced that it is considering the potential for a ‘container-style’ food village, which would occupy part of the market’s outdoor trading area. The council’s executive board gave the green light last month to the launch of a consultation exercise seeking people’s views on the proposals, which have been drawn up with a view to safeguarding the long-term future of the outdoor area following sustained and significant investment across the market site. The consultation exercise has now ended, with its results due to be considered by councillors on the executive board at a meeting on Wednesday, February 8. The councillors will be told that, although some concerns were raised by a small number of existing
traders at the market, the response from members of the public was overwhelmingly positive. More than 2,000 online questionnaires were completed, with 71.5 per cent of respondents supporting the idea and 91 per cent saying they would be ‘somewhat likely’ or ‘very likely’ to use the rest of the market if they were visiting the proposed venue. Given the results of the consultation, the meeting will be asked to back a twin-track approach to the next steps of the scheme. This would see the council start the process of promoting the site to private operators as a potential location for a food village of the type – normally built from refurbished shipping containers – already found in cities such as London, Manchester, and Bristol.
59