HISTORIC Paddy's Market in Glasgow has become a "crime-ridden mess" which must be closed down, a leading councillor said today.

HISTORIC Paddy's Market in Glasgow has become a "crime-ridden mess" which must be closed down, a leading councillor said today.

Gordon Matheson says hundreds of crimes including attempted murder and serious assault take place at the market.

And he says it is costing taxpayers nearly £300,000 a year to clean it up.

Councillor Matheson says Paddy's is in the grip of organised crime.

He said: "The market's nature has changed and there are now real concerns about the amount of crime associated with it.

Timesfile

  • Paddy's Market began nearly 200 years ago.
  • Its name stems from the large number of Irish stallholders.
  • Within a decade there were more than 1500 dealers and hawkers in the area.
  • Numbers rose higher with the influx of Irish immigrants during the 1845-50 potato famine.
  • In 1854 the market was based in Market Lane but it was moved to make way for the railway viaduct to St Enoch station.
  • The market has had several moves around the East End area before if finally settled in Shipbank Lane where it has been since 1935.

"It used to be a respectable working class market where people would go to clothe their family.

"Now there is drug dealing and selling of contraband like alcohol, cigarettes and music.

"This is not someone like Derek Trotter trying to make ends meet but a front for organised crime and serious criminal offences."

Councillor Matheson, who this week attended a police briefing on the problems at Paddy's, is shocked by statistics which show 1926 crimes were committed at or near the market in 2005/6.

He said: "They ranged from attempted murder to serious assault, shoplifting, drugs and breach of the peace."

The land and arches at Shipbank Lane, where the market operates, is owned by Network Rail and managed on its behalf by Spacia, which bills itself as the UK's largest small business landlord.

"Network Rail gets £130,000 a year in rent from the market traders," said Mr Matheson, "but not a single one of them has applied for a market trader's licence.

"It is estimated it costs the public purse £277,000 a year to clean up an area which has become a crime ridden midden.

"The days when Paddy's Market made a contribution to the city are over, it has changed and in my opinion it should be closed down."

Mr Matheson, who is executive spokesman for education, said he understood alternative accommodation could be provided for legitimate stall holders.

He added: "We are not trying to put those who operate legitimate stalls out of business."

A spokesman from Network Rail said: "Paddy's Market is a long standing site for market traders in Glasgow.

"Illegal traders are not welcome at the market, however, Network Rail relies on Glasgow City Council trading standards and local law enforcement to police the site.

"We are also looking at options for possible redevelopment of the market and look forward to continuing discussions."

Strathclyde Police chief inspector Alan Teasdale said a number of organisations were working together to find a solution.

"Crime in the area is a substantial problem," he said. "Nobody has been missed out of the group trying to solve the many problems attached to Paddy's Market."