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Stall over for Paddy's
 
 
Protesters made their 11th-hour plea outside Glasgow City Council Chambers yesterday
Protesters made their 11th-hour plea outside Glasgow City Council Chambers yesterday
 
Steve Inch has urged the market's traders to contact the council over their future
Steve Inch has urged the market's traders to contact the council over their future
 

by Iain Lundy

THE final death knell has been sounded for Glasgow's historic Paddy's Market. Pleas to overturn a decision to close the market and transform it into an arts and crafts centre were thrown out at a special meeting of the city council, as reported on our online edition last night.

Council officials claimed none of the people currently trading at Paddy's had a market licence so the market was effectively being run illegally.

But they appeared to offer an olive branch to existing stallholders, saying they had a place in the new set-up if they became "legitimate traders".

And they dismissed suggestions they were trying to "yuppify" or "gentrify" the market which was opened in the 19th century by an Irish immigrant to sell cheap goods to poor citizens.

The decision came after angry protesters joined in a demonstration outside Glasgow City Chambers yesterday.

  • Paddy's Market got its name from the high number of Irish traders, most of whom came to Scotland during the Potato Famine of the 1840s.

  • The site's sprawling nature meant "Paddy's Market" became a byword for something untidy or disorganised.

  • At its height, there were more than 1500 street traders selling goods, originally from a site on Market Lane.

  • In the 1850s it was moved to make way for the St Enoch railway viaduct and it moved several times before settling in Shipbank Lane in 1935.

  • In recent years the market has attracted a criminal element and has been raided three times in the last year.
  • Traders and opposition councillors had argued that the business provides employment for 80 people and has a histori-cal significance for the city.

    Those against the market's closure planned to hand in a petition with thousands of signatures of people against the axe plan.

    Executive member for regeneration councillor George Ryan said: "There will be a place for legitimate traders within Paddy's.

    "We don't have new traders lined up, we don't have a plot to cleanse Paddy's Market and gentrify it."

    He told SNP councillors who were trying to force a change of mind: "I want a good thriving market, an alternative market to places like Buchanan Galleries."

    The market has been under attack for months for its soaring levels of crime including drug dealing and the selling of pirate DVDs.

    Director of development and regeneration Steve Inch insisted the plan for the area did not include throwing out all the traders who currently operate from the railway arches at the Shipbank Lane site.

    He told the meeting yesterday afternoon: "There is no intention to yuppify the market. We need to keep traders on site to run the market."

    And he claimed that traders who were defined as "legitimate" could be temporarily housed in council-run markets or the Barras until Paddy's was upgraded.

    Mr Inch said he had sent letters to Paddy's Market traders asking them to contact the council but that none had responded.

    He said a feasibility plan into the future of the site would be carried out by Christmas and that plans for the new-look market would be complete by May next year.

    Mr Inch said existing traders had until then to get in touch with the council which will take over the lease from existing owners Network Rail.

    But despite attempts to reassure traders, stallholders were sceptical about the plan.

    Carol Salvona, who runs a stall with her sister, said: "Some of the language was encouraging but the bottom line is they want us out.

    "We don't care what they say, we believe they have ulterior motives.

    "We have never had any letters from the council and we have never been consulted in any way.

    "If we had to get market trader licences we would get them. We are happy to meet and talk but we have never had the opportunity."

    The meeting was held to hear two appeals - or call-ins - by councillors who opposed the plans to close the market and take over the lease of the site from Network Rail.

    One, led by SNP councillor Craig Mackay, objected on the grounds that the council were insisting on vacant possession of the premises, effectively evicting' stallholders while the premises were upgraded.

    The second, led by Green councillor Dr Nina Baker, claimed there was no business plan in place and that the proposal was financially flawed.

    A motion by councillor Kenny McLean opposing the closure was defeated by 11 votes to five.

    Publication date 29/10/08

    Posted by: ERIC LOTHIAN, everywhere on 11:18am Wed 29 Oct 08
    JIM FAE GLASGOW. WHY ARE YOU COMMENTING ON THE EEN FORUM AS ERIC FAE LOTHIANS YA FRAUD??
    Posted by: jim, Glasgow on 11:37am Wed 29 Oct 08
    End of an era.
    Posted by: SKYE, GLASGOW on 11:45am Wed 29 Oct 08
    THE TRADERS WILL HAVE TO GO "LEGIT" UNDER THE NEW INCAPACITY RULES.SO COME OUT OF THE "RAG AND BONE "TRADE AND LEAVE IN THE PAST WITH "STEPTOE AND SON"!THE DECENT FOLK GIVE THEIR SECOND HAND KIT AWAY TO THE "CHARITY SHOPS".SO STOP LEAFLETING TH"WELL HEALED"AREAS WITH YOUR ATTATCHED BLACK BIN BAGS.YOU OLNY PINCH THE CHARITY SHOPS GOOD SERVICES!
    Posted by: mrs m, bishopbriggs on 11:49am Wed 29 Oct 08
    time it was cleaned up of all the scum and hopefully all the "legit" traders can make a living
    quote
    Posted by: D4RN-L, Inverkip on 12:05pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    The end of an eyesore more like!

    A midden finally being cleared from the centre of Glasgow and not before time!
    Posted by: clayton-moore on 12:32pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    In any other city councillors would be trying to rescue their last street market, not destroy it.
    Welcome to hygenised, yuppified, middle-class respectable Glasgow where there is no place for the poor, the working poor, the working class or those who serve them.
    WoS Labour? Considering the sympathy and support they have shown over the years for sein fein, Irish republicanism and Irish nationalism it's rather ironic that a genuine Glasgow Irish contribution to the community is consigned to the dustbin.
    Posted by: Eileen, Glasgow on 12:36pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    The end of an era for honest traders who have little chance against the criminals who blight those sites. What next the Barras.
    Posted by: Roy Batty, Glasgow on 12:37pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    clayton-moore wrote:
    In any other city councillors would be trying to rescue their last street market, not destroy it. Welcome to hygenised, yuppified, middle-class respectable Glasgow where there is no place for the poor, the working poor, the working class or those who serve them. WoS Labour? Considering the sympathy and support they have shown over the years for sein fein, Irish republicanism and Irish nationalism it's rather ironic that a genuine Glasgow Irish contribution to the community is consigned to the dustbin.
    Aw shut up you...they are trying to save it and make the area a safer place.

    You would not be happy with any decision taken by a Labour controlled council.

    My family are from Donegal and we don't celebrate this dump...get real.
    Posted by: Renegade, Cyberspace on 12:38pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    Council officials claimed none of the people currently trading at Paddy's had a market licence so the market was effectively being run illegally

    Huh that's convinient! As soon as they protest against the decision all based on spin, claim they never had a licence. 8-|

    Anyone else smell some BS here?
    Posted by: calamero, Glasgow on 12:45pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    clayton-moore wrote:
    In any other city councillors would be trying to rescue their last street market, not destroy it. Welcome to hygenised, yuppified, middle-class respectable Glasgow where there is no place for the poor, the working poor, the working class or those who serve them. WoS Labour? Considering the sympathy and support they have shown over the years for sein fein, Irish republicanism and Irish nationalism it's rather ironic that a genuine Glasgow Irish contribution to the community is consigned to the dustbin.
    Welcome to hygenised, yuppified, middle-class respectable Glasgow - There is no such place, Glasgow remains a pigsty.
    Posted by: gkar, Glasgow on 1:14pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    Renegade wrote:
    Council officials claimed none of the people currently trading at Paddy's had a market licence so the market was effectively being run illegally

    Huh that's convinient! As soon as they protest against the decision all based on spin, claim they never had a licence. 8-|

    Anyone else smell some BS here?
    yep plenty going on, from September this year in the ET below. A lot of the Paddys Market related articles from the ET are here
    http://urbanglasgow.
    co.uk/ftopic588-0-as
    c-10.php

    "Mr Inch, in a letter to traders, said he recognised there were a number of
    "legitimate traders" who operated in the market and the council was
    "considering their welfare". "

    "
    SNP councillor Craig Mackay said he would be supporting the traders. He added: "Legitimate businesses in Paddy's provide employment for a
    significant number of people and it is not the council's job to put these out
    of business. "
    Posted by: wild wadi, kirkie on 1:33pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    Renegade wrote:
    Council officials claimed none of the people currently trading at Paddy's had a market licence so the market was effectively being run illegally
    Huh that's convinient! As soon as they protest against the decision all based on spin, claim they never had a licence. 8-| Anyone else smell some BS here?
    'course you'd have to buy a market licence from the council's market licence department.Then your application would have to go before several committees and councillors would would have to be bussed down for a site visit and then go to a local hotel for their lunch. One gets the impression that "Paddys" is doing them out of a lot of jaunts and freebies.
    Posted by: SunnyJhim, South of the River on 3:26pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    Aw poor Sydney.

    Does this decision mean he's now going to have to splash out in a nasty, corporate high street store to get his concubines - Missing City and Meep - something for Xmas?
    Posted by: velocetteman, Cumbernauld on 3:58pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    From the Sunday Herald:-

    "In minutes obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act, Strathclyde Police themselves stressed in April 2008 that it is not the traders of the Paddy's Market who are the cause of the crime. Chief inspector Alan Spence stated crime was down to "the people that the area generally attracts" and noted Hope House as being "a major crime generator". However, the chief inspector insisted if Shipbank Lane, the site of Paddy's Market, were to be closed it would have a "huge positive impact on the level of crime being committed in the area"

    So shaft the poor innocent traders, close the market and let the druggies move in to the City Centre instead? You've got to wonder what planet some of our Masters come from!!!

    Why are they not addressing the real problem which is this unsavoury doss-house just round the corner from the market. Its residents will still be around to hastle folk in the new arty-farty "Camden Market" vision-thing.
    Posted by: leesome, Glasgow on 4:43pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    The market was opened to sell budget priced goods. Have you any idea of the cost a license? And to write that a council license makes the seller legitimate is a joke. Glasgow city council it is the tax paying public that make a trader legitimate, and that traders tax return. Mind you since the council often turns a blind eye, when its in its own interest. Speak to LES, Director, Booth, about licensees.
    Posted by: Ian on 5:48pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    ERIC LOTHIAN wrote:
    JIM FAE GLASGOW. WHY ARE YOU COMMENTING ON THE EEN FORUM AS ERIC FAE LOTHIANS YA FRAUD??
    There are many many people on here, the Scotsman, EEN and other such sites who have several alter-egos! Get over yourself and stop acting like children the pair of you.

    Gies peace!
    Posted by: The Missing City, Glasgow on 5:56pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    Ian wrote:
    ERIC LOTHIAN wrote: JIM FAE GLASGOW. WHY ARE YOU COMMENTING ON THE EEN FORUM AS ERIC FAE LOTHIANS YA FRAUD??
    There are many many people on here, the Scotsman, EEN and other such sites who have several alter-egos! Get over yourself and stop acting like children the pair of you. Gies peace!
    I cannot recall seeing Jim on this responding to this ****...

    Nope checked again, still nothing!!

    Shouting yer mouth off and having not a lot so say??
    Posted by: The Missing City, Glasgow on 5:59pm Wed 29 Oct 08
    SunnyJhim wrote:
    Aw poor Sydney. Does this decision mean he's now going to have to splash out in a nasty, corporate high street store to get his concubines - Missing City and Meep - something for Xmas?
    HAW HAW HAW

    Do you do the Stand in Woodlands Road?

    Naa, AH didnay thinkso BTW!!

    BUT YOU SHOULD.

    Cos most of the so-called comedians are pish!

    HAW HAW HAW
    Posted by: Titus a duxas, Ft.McMurray on 2:13am Thu 30 Oct 08
    Ian wrote:
    ERIC LOTHIAN wrote:
    JIM FAE GLASGOW. WHY ARE YOU COMMENTING ON THE EEN FORUM AS ERIC FAE LOTHIANS YA FRAUD??
    There are many many people on here, the Scotsman, EEN and other such sites who have several alter-egos! Get over yourself and stop acting like children the pair of you.

    Gies peace!
    Haw how dae ye go about gettin' an' alter-ego in here? ah would like tae come in here now an' again and have a guid auld Blether tae masel'
    Posted by: bluey, glasgow on 9:57am Thu 30 Oct 08
    leesome wrote:
    The market was opened to sell budget priced goods. Have you any idea of the cost a license? And to write that a council license makes the seller legitimate is a joke. Glasgow city council it is the tax paying public that make a trader legitimate, and that traders tax return. Mind you since the council often turns a blind eye, when its in its own interest. Speak to LES, Director, Booth, about licensees.
    £117 for the market operating licence apparently - just over £2 a week.

    But I read an article which said that no traders there had applied for one.
    Posted by: wild wadi, kirkie on 3:30pm Thu 30 Oct 08
    bluey wrote:
    leesome wrote: The market was opened to sell budget priced goods. Have you any idea of the cost a license? And to write that a council license makes the seller legitimate is a joke. Glasgow city council it is the tax paying public that make a trader legitimate, and that traders tax return. Mind you since the council often turns a blind eye, when its in its own interest. Speak to LES, Director, Booth, about licensees.
    £117 for the market operating licence apparently - just over £2 a week. But I read an article which said that no traders there had applied for one.
    Having a licence make you legit? This would leave you open to cross referencing by the benefits agency/inland revenue/vat man/accountants etc. Surely you would have to show that you had public liability insurance before you got one.You might even have to have a permanent address.
    Posted by: clayton-moore, dusseldorf on 4:13pm Thu 30 Oct 08
    Roy Batty wrote:
    clayton-moore wrote: In any other city councillors would be trying to rescue their last street market, not destroy it. Welcome to hygenised, yuppified, middle-class respectable Glasgow where there is no place for the poor, the working poor, the working class or those who serve them. WoS Labour? Considering the sympathy and support they have shown over the years for sein fein, Irish republicanism and Irish nationalism it's rather ironic that a genuine Glasgow Irish contribution to the community is consigned to the dustbin.
    Aw shut up you...they are trying to save it and make the area a safer place. You would not be happy with any decision taken by a Labour controlled council. My family are from Donegal and we don't celebrate this dump...get real.
    What's your problem? I suppose you're one of the middle class progressives who've destroyed our city over the last 50 years a good supporter of the council, if not one of their bureaucratic deadweight employees.
    And what is your reply to any criticism? "Aw shut up you..." You prove one thing, it's not only the housing schemes that are polluted by the ned mentality.
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