North West wholesale markets need “meaningful investment” and have been left “in limbo” while waiting for regeneration, delegates at last week’s FPJ Conferences North West event in Manchester were told.
Mark Legomski, head of markets for Manchester Markets, told delegates that a committee had been appointed to look at the future of Manchester’s 35 acre New Smithfield Wholesale Market, and that this committee was developing the outline of a business case for regeneration of the site.
But it was also pointed out that the Manchester wholesale market was going through such a process three years ago when Legomski’s predecessor - and fellow speaker at the event - NABMA’s policy development manager Krys Zasada, worked for the council. The point was also raised that Liverpool wholesale market was in ruins through lack of intervention by the city council.
“The reality is that wholesale markets need meaningful investment and logic says that there is not going to be enough,” Zasada said.
Legomski added: “It is all about establishing a business model, but life goes on. The backdrop is that Manchester [wholesale market] is performing okay from the point of view of attracting people. We need a sound business case.
“Markets are exciting and vibrant places. Marketing is an issue, but there are lots of opportunities and ways to get round that.”
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