This is a film from the large collection made available by Yorkshire Television, a collection containing various films of different types, from documentaries to feature programs, as well as films of local Yorkshire events such as shows and festivals. The vast majority of films are from 1970s and ‘80s, arguably the decade when Yorkshire Television was at its height.  Yorkshire Television (YTV) has been around for decades, its influence arguably declining in recent years due to the internet and...

This is a film from the large collection made available by Yorkshire Television, a collection containing various films of different types, from documentaries to feature programs, as well as films of local Yorkshire events such as shows and festivals. The vast majority of films are from 1970s and ‘80s, arguably the decade when Yorkshire Television was at its height.  Yorkshire Television (YTV) has been around for decades, its influence arguably declining in recent years due to the internet and budget cuts. However YTV was a powerhouse in the Yorkshire region since its creation in 1968 creating household names like Emmerdale and Heartbeat, as well as quality regional news programmes such as Calendar.

Everything Must Go?  is a documentary made by YTV to investigate the growing controversy at the time, that being, the redevelopment of Kirkgate market in Leeds. The film examines the viewpoints of both sides and those caught in the crossfire; it aims for a balanced perspective with both sides given equal footing and screen time.

Kirkgate market is easily at the films centre. The market itself is a key part of Leeds’ history, in more ways than one. The market is often touted as the largest indoor market in Europe, and as long been at the heart of Leeds city centre. Famously Michael Marks started his business in Kirkgate in the 1800s, a business which would later go on to be Marks and Spencer. Trade continually flourished in the market since it was completed in 1875, with high and low points as any market had. Kirkgate played a vital role during the economic depression of the 1920s, providing local affordable food. During the Second World War the market became the home to the Ministry of Food in Leeds supplying rations for the whole city. Unfortunately the market had its first flirt with disaster, as during the war a German air raid damaged part of the market.  It proved to be little cause for concern though, as trading continued and the city took the opportunity to add to the market with ‘Butcher’s Row’.

At the start of the film the narrator mentions a fire sweeping through the market and destroying a large part of it; the fire in question happened on the 13th December, 1975. As festive shoppers went about their business, the fire tore through two thirds of the historic building; thankfully no one lost their lives and the originally façade miraculously avoided the flames. It was in response to the fire that Leeds Council proposed a redevelopment of the market.

By 1976 the newly repaired halls were opened; however, as the council leader in the film says, it was made of breezeblocks, a far cry from the grandeur of the old building. By 1981 the Dutch development firm (seen in the film) MAB proposed to extend and develop the market, and as the film shows this did not go down too well with the market traders and customers. MAB’s scheme was undoubtedly ambitious, increasing the market to 400,000 sq. ft., the addition of a new bus station and almost 2,000 new car parking spaces. MAB was supported by Norwich Union and Leeds City Council, putting the council at firm loggerheads with the opposition groups, which saw the development as a bad thing, not only for their livelihoods, but Leeds’ ‘heart’.

Groups such as market trader associations, Leeds Civic Trust and even Leeds’ Victorian society vehemently opposed the firms plans for the market. As the film shows people were quite vocal in their opposition, organising petitions and just generally letting their voice be heard. However not all the market traders were united in their disdain at the proposals.  Many saw the development as a good thing which would bring much needed change and revitalise the old market. This difference in opinion led to many market traders and customers staying quiet, as not to alienate their customers or friends. The development then was massively polarising, as one interviewee says in the film, even he and his dad would have disagreed on it.

The developments of MAB were eventually canned after a considerable backlash. Before any development could go ahead Leeds City Council needed a Compulsory Purchase Order, unfortunately though the Secretary of State for the Environment refused to grant one. As such by 1990 the project was formally ended.

The leader of the council at the time, George Mundie is and was a proven politician. At the time of the film Mundie was had already been a councillor for Leeds since the 1970s, becoming the leader in 1980 and holding it for an entire decade. In 1992 his work was rewarded when the former Labour chancellor Denis Healey retired, and Mundie stood in his Leeds seat which he has held up until recently (2015).

The defeat in 1986 didn’t mean the council stopped proposing new developments and refurbishments, on the contrary. By 1991 the market had seen its fair share of business, the fire damage of 1975 and constant wear and tear of a working market all put a strain on the aging building. The earlier alliance of Norwich Union and Leeds City Council this time proposed a more modest refurbishment that kept the original spirit of the building.  The proposals of this new renovation included; ‘The proposals for renovations included: restoration of the original lead domes, stones and pinnacles on the entrance created in 1904; Additional shop units built to replicate the original style; Modern drainage systems, water and electricity supply; Upgraded fire and security systems; Toilet facilities with disabled access; Renovations to the key entrances; Restoration of the 1875 market building; Additional stalls across the outdoor market area; 30,000 sq. ft. of office accommodation above the market hall.’  Unlike the disastrous MAB developments, the new refurbishments went off without a hitch and went down well, since they kept the essence of what made the market unique, whilst bringing it into the modern age.  The work was completed in 1999.

Since 1999 the council have tried new schemes to rejuvenate the market. One example of this is ‘Jamie’s Ministry of Food’, launched in the market in 2010; it offered cooking classes from £4, with most of the ingredients sourced from the market itself. Another popular council scheme in 2011 is the ‘Shop & Drop’ where the council extended the market’s opening times to 8am-6pm in order to encourage professionals to shop at the market, even giving them a refrigerated drop off point so they can shop in the morning before work, drop the groceries off and pick them up after.  

As evidenced by the film, the relationship between the council and the market traders has been a tumultuous one at best. And this relationship was not miraculously healed by the successful refurbishments of 1999. In recent years the relationship has been tested by claims of increased ‘gentrification’, and gentrification is a divisive issue when it comes to Kirkgate Market.

Gentrification is essentially the process of refurbishment or redevelopment in such a way that middle class and generally more affluent people flock to an area. This is not a new phenomenon however; there were claims of gentrification during the 1986 development for instance, these days the ever increasing rents of the market and the targeting of more wealthy customers by the councils increasingly inventive schemes, signal to many that the council is attempting to gentrify the market. The reason why many take offense at even supposed gentrification is that by its very definition, it alienates less well-off customers and as traditionally Kirkgate market has been a place where people shop regardless of class, it means a loss of heritage.

The market does not always take the schemes of the council lying down though, especially in recent years,  groups such as ‘Friends of Leeds Kirkgate Market’ have taken it upon themselves to give the market a unified voice.

References

John Baron, Leeds council's plans to downsize Kirkgate Market receive frosty reception | UK news | The Guardian Tues 14 February 2012

The History of Kirkgate Market, Leeds Markets

Sara Gonzalez and Paul Waley, Traditional Retail Markets: The New Gentrification Frontier

Marks and Spencer born in market

George Mudie MP Profile