Hull Market, one of the UK’s last remaining street wholesale markets, will soon be on the move to a purpose-built site as the local council negotiates with traders to avoid compulsory purchase orders.
The market will be moving east to new premises to make way for urban regeneration on the city-centre site which is owned by most of the 12 companies as freehold.
“We would sooner stay here,” said Dennis Butler of Dennis Butler Ltd, “and in reality we will be here for another two or three years yet, but we will make the best of the move.
“It is an eventuality and we are one of the more progressive firms so we will be moving.”
He said amicable negotiations were on-going with the council, which, because of the freehold nature of the wholesalers’ businesses, is having to negotiate with each trader on an individual basis.
There are several options on the table. One is for traders over 60 to bow out with a compensation payment, another concerns the purchase of traders’ property and rent-free trading until the move, or for traders to buy into the new market or to rent.
“We have only ever paid rates to the council in the past, and a move to the new market will mean a big increase, as it is a much more modern facility,” said Butler.
“It is difficult as we don’t know where we will be in three to four years time, but this is a valuable site and we don’t want to just give it away.”
Tony Howard business development manager at the city council said: “There is no timetable yet for the move, but negotiations are at a fairly advanced stage.
“The last thing the council wants to do is put anyone out of business and it is not just the wholesalers that are involved here, but all their customers indirectly.”
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