Market traders start move to new look stalls

Traders at Great Yarmouth Market are now beginning to move into their new £4.7m home which is a stone's throw from their current stalls.

The latest stage of the Great Yarmouth Borough Council town centre improvement scheme is seeing stall holders able to move into their six-day stalls in a new building.

The new look market was covered up on Wednesday (Image: Archant)

The council says it expects the traders to take a few weeks to get their stalls ready in the new market area, with a gradual opening of the new building during May.

Sean and Lucy Dearn inside their new unit on Great Yarmouth marketplace. (Image: James Weeds)

A borough council spokesperson said: “Traders will be able to start moving into the new six-day stalls from the end of this week.

"We expect most traders will take a few weeks to get their stalls ready, and we look forward to the gradual opening of the new building in early May.

"The new market is lighter, brighter, more spacious, more accessible and more environmentally friendly, and we think both traders and visitors will really feel the benefits of these improvements as it opens up.”

The move has caused some controversy with some stall holders not relocating to the new structure, including Barrie's Tea Stall and Brewer's Chips- ending years of tradition in the town centre.

Work on the new market started in April 2021.

There is still work to be done inside the new build - before phase one is complete - but the council have said traders can begin moving into the new units from April 15. (Image: James Weeds)

The new covered market will have 26 main stalls of different sizes, alongside two kiosks and spaces for pop-up traders.

When work started council leader Carl Smith and Labour group opposition leader Trevor Wainwright released a joint statement which said: "People can look forward to a brighter, more inviting market in the heart of the historic Market Place, with improved market facilities and a unique design which complements the historic setting, supports the wider town centre."

Carl Smith, left, Leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, in the new market with councillor Trevor Wainwright. (Image: Archant 2022)

To help promote the market traders a Facebook page has been launched which an eye on what individual stalls offer, with the latest being Unique Sweets.

The site says "Experience the friendly face of shopping at one of England's oldest markets."

Search on Facebook for Great Yarmouth Market Place.

The market in Great Yarmouth on January 27, 2022. (Image: Archant)