Last week, Lyon confirmed its status as a gastronomic centre with the international food and hospitality trade fair Sirha. Thousands of visitors came to discover the latest trends in foodservice and products, and to see the famous “Bocuse d’Or” trophy awarded to a French chef. But for wholesale sector observers, Sirha was significant in another way as Lyon market tenants were present at the fair under the Lyon Perrache banner for the last time. Over the next 18 months the market will be moving from its historic site in the heart of the city to the neighbouring area of Corbas.

The market move is an old story - talks first began some 15 years ago. And the ensuing saga has generated opposition, frustration and sometimes, even anger. At the same time, the market has been caught up in the debate surrounding markets of national interest, which began three years ago.

The Corbas site is privately owned which does not sit easily with market-of-national-interest status. The Lyon wholesalers themselves have not really minded moving from Perrache to the brand new market, as logistically it has been difficult to work out of the city centre site for years. But what they have been keen to preserve is the specific status of the market or failing that, financial reward to offset its loss.

In December 2006, the state finally gave the go-ahead for the market’s ownership to change into private hands. Technically this means the 19 wholesalers and 140 producers who accepted to move to Corbas will have to buy their premises on the basis of €750 a square metre and then invest more in the facilities they require themselves. They expect to have some financial backing from local institutions such as the regional authority and the Lyon local council, in the shape of tax breaks during the settlement period at the very least.

The new market at Corbas will be divided in two. A 40,000 sqm area will host wholesalers and producers from the green belt around the city in the western part of the site. The area will be split into stands ranging in size from 700sqm to 6,000sqm. Within that, growers will have their own dedicated area of some 70 stands. Some of them are already getting prepared by grouping together to save money. They will also create an association to manage the market.

Meanwhile, the eastern section of the site will feature a 50,000sqm logistics hub divided into four 12,500m2 warehouses. A further 30,000sqm is also being planned. The move from Perrache is due to be completed before August 2007, when the market will lose its national-interest status, and in May 2008 the brand new market will be opened.