January 2007

Dear Editor

The closure of the Moor market is at the dictate of RREEF, the multi-national company that has control over development on the Moor. In March 2006 the Council Cabinet agreed to RREEF'S request that the existing market traders be removed to give the Moor an "open look"

The Council intend to provide a new market on the Moor which will be sub-let on only a 35 year lease from RREEF. The council owned Castle market with around 100, 000 visits per week, will be closed. But this market provides a wide range of food, refreshments and other goods at keen prices. It is also very accessible for people from north Sheffield and in walking distance from Hyde Park and Park Hill

We believe that these developments violates the Council policy of ?bridging the gap? between affluent and poor areas of the city. It will attract more costly stalls than at the existing markets and may lead to more national and multi-national outlets at the expense of some the existing stall holders in the Castle or the Moor market.; it will be less accessible for people on the north side of the city, and increase car usage and congestion.

If the Moor market must be relocated it should be to a place that has the support of the existing stallholders.

Our Labour Council continues to triumph its green and social inclusion credentials and its support for small business, but as with the New Retail Quarter, the reality is different. Clone city marches on.

Yours sincerely

David Hayes
Green Party Planning Spokesperson