Video: slideshow: Sutton Market transformation - what do people think of the new market plans?

A preview of a brighter and more spacious and modern Sutton indoor market has impressed everyone we have spoken to.
Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.
Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.

Traders and customers at Sutton’s indoor market say the first images of how the market hall will look after a major revamp look “fantastic”.

Ashfield District council revealed architects’ visualisations of how the shopping entrance, central seating area and the butchers section will look when finished.

Stallholders are keen to stress that although the indoor market looks dilapidated and run-down at the moment, they will be very much in business throughout the refurbishments set to start in early in 2017.

Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.
Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.

And the £1.6 million project to revitalize the run down market has already attracted renewed interest in the market from at least one new trader.

Traders have been told in meetings with the developers that the plans include a glass roof in the middle, new floors and ceilings and a change in the central layout with an oasis seating area with eight new food outlets.

There will be more space, the aisles will be wider and hopefully it will attract more traders to the area.

Malcolm Keeling, owner of Colledges Butchers said he thought the new designs looked ‘fantastic’.

Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.
Brian and Michelle Garner from Sutton, with daughter Lois (3) at Sutton Indoor Market.

He said: “We had a couple of meetings with Qarterbridge (the consultants involved in the project) and they seem to know what they are doing and everything they have told us so far backs that up.

“They are only artists’ impressions at the moment but we are all quite pleased with the visualisations.

“They are keeping us open and I am happy about that.

It looks a lot brighter - there should be a lot more light in the central area when they take the middle roof bit out.

The plans include a glass roof in the middle, new floors and ceilings and a change in the central layout with an oasis seating area with eight new food outlets. Glen Shaw, who runs a fruit and veg stall in the indoor market said: It looks like it will be a lot brighter - there should be a lot more light in the central area when they take the middle roof bit out.

There will be more space, the aisles will be wider and hopefully it will attract more traders to the area.

Shopper Mandy Gill from Sutton, said: “It needs improving - and it needs more money investing in it.

“These pictures look like an improvement.”

Sutton couple Michelle and Brian Garner were shopping with their three-year old daughter Lois.

Michelle, 34 said: ”It looks very aged at the moment.

“The plans look good to me - the place could do with a complete clean, more lighting and a new floor.”

Danny Thompson of Sutton said he and his wife did a lot of their shopping at the indoor market.

Mr Thompson said; “An oasis will be better and the pictures show it as being lot more open plan so you are not traipsing around narrow aisles.

“I think it will bring more people into the market.”

IT expert Jamie Walker has recently moved into the market to set up Welcome IT Services, offering services such as computer repairs iT support and software installation. He said it was the prospect of the revamp which had persuaded him to come to Sutton.

He said: “I knew this was coming and saw it as an opportunity.

“I think people will benefit more from our services and I am very excited now it has been advertised .

“I hope it will stop a lot of negativity and people will come in more.

“if it looks anything like the pictures we are onto a winner.

“It looks more modern, more open and clean and getting rid of straight edges will allow it to flow a lot better. If people can see throughthe market it will make it a better experience.

I hope the people who own this and Idlewells will work together to get the footfall right, fill the empty stalls and get the right traders in.”

He said the designers had hit the ‘nail on the head’ by having a food court in the middle.

“I think the nation is getting more addicted to coffee - it is very important to have a social area.

“Sutton needs to get away from the 1950s coal miner frame of mind. You can’t do that without making changes.

“I have benefited from regeneration grants and if people are interested in coming to the market I’m pretty sure they will get some help.”