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Opponents of plans to axe a busy market as part of a £630,000 high street makeover claim visitors will shun a "poshed-up city centre".
The city council wants to transform St George's Street, Canterbury, into a leafy boulevard with an avenue of trees, new paving, and a performance space.
But the popular twice-weekly market will be a casualty of the revamp, leading to claims the authority is trying to sanitise the shopping thoroughfare.
Isabel Farrell, of Oaten Hill Place, Canterbury, is among the critics of the plans.
She said: "People increasingly buy online and it will take more than gentrification to tempt them back to shops, when they can buy what they want cheaper and more easily from the comfort of their sofas.
"No one will come for a second look at a poshed-up city centre.
"We should be cherishing our market, expanding it, giving it a permanent home and making it somewhere everyone in Kent wants to visit and enjoy."
The city council has put the proposal out to public consultation, but a petition to save the market has already attracted more than 3,000 signatures.
The Labour group on the city council is backing the fight with the support of Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield.
Its leader, Cllr Alan Baldock, agrees the refurbishment of St George's Street is long overdue but insists the market should be allowed to return after work is complete.
"Canterbury's market has been part of our city centre for a very long time," he said.
"But will this generation of market traders be the last, sacrificed by Canterbury City Council as the collateral damage needed to enable their proposed gentrification of public space?
"The refurbishment must be the catalyst that drives a holistic change, not sanitise what residents and visitors see, nor to end up becoming nothing more than a tacky, extended shop front to big business."
Ms Duffield added: "Part of the allure of Canterbury as a destination for shoppers across Kent is precisely the variety of shopping on offer.
"The public reaction to the proposals is clear from the petition, and the council must now work with the stallholders to develop a plan that incorporates Canterbury's market stalls."
No new alternative locations for the market have been put forward by the council, although stallholders currently have permission to operate in Iron Bar Lane, and Burgate Lane - streets they claim are unsuitable.
The city council says managers at neighbouring Whitefriars fear the market is putting off new businesses moving into the shopping centre, which is owned by the authority.
Spokesman Rob Davies says the permanent removal of the market would allow the council to accommodate different kinds of street traders and create a flexible space to host events, attractions and activities that would make people want to visit all year round.
"We are aware of the petition and the support it is receiving," he said.
"This will be a key consideration when it comes to a final decision, although if councillors decide to go ahead with the project and also retain the market in St George’s, it would not be able to operate there for around six months while the work was taking place.
"If other potential locations for the market are mentioned in the consultation, we would of course look at them, but they would need to work in the context of the city.
"It should also be remembered the traders already have permission to use a number of other streets in the city centre, including Iron Bar Lane, and Burgate Lane every Wednesday and Friday, as well as the Iron Bar Lane service area every Wednesday, but choose not to.
"In general, though, we're pleased to see the overall approach we're putting forward - more trees, new paving, extra seating, and better lighting - seems to be receiving support."
Hundreds of people have taken part in a poll on Facebook, asking whether they back the plans for St George's Street.
After 437 votes, 52% say they oppose the proposals to remove the market, while 48% are in favour.
Traders stressed at risk to livelihoods
Market traders have told of the anxiety and stress of learning their livelihoods are at risk, including Chris Brenchley who has been selling bags and luggage in the city centre for more than 20 years.
"I'm 60 so can't think of retiring for quite a while yet and this is my living," he said.
"I just don't understand it because the market is an asset to the city and brings people in.
"There is definitely an increase in footfall in the city centre on Wednesdays and Fridays, so the shops will lose out as well.
"I have many regular customers and they always say how glad they are to see us.
"I understand St George's Street needs resurfacing but they should be able to accommodate us when it's done."
Arthur Dutton runs a popular plant stall and is furious the council wants to shut the market.
"I've been in the business for 36 years and am 70 now but have no desire to retire because I love what I do," he said.
"I have lots of regular customers who are appalled that we are going to be shut down.
"The market adds to the street scene and offers something different and I think losing it will have a terrible impact on the city centre."
Steve Bamber, who is chairman of the Canterbury Market Traders Association, says a petition to keep it going is getting overwhelming support.
"We haven't had to badger people to support us," he said.
"They've been coming up to us and saying 'where's the petition - I want to sign it'.
"Now we have almost 3,000 signatures so surely the council must sit up and take notice.
"It shows the incredible strength of feeling there is for the market. This proposal is causing a lot of anxiety and stress for the traders.
"But we have always said that we want to work with the council and our motto remains 'improve not remove'."
"Stupid to take it away"
Hundreds of shoppers come into Canterbury on Wednesdays and Fridays especially to browse the market.
Among them on Wednesday was pensioner Lawrence Knight, from Aylesham, who was eager to sign the petition.
"I used to be a Dover District councillor so I know how local authority bureaucracy works," he said.
"The fact is the market complements the city and offers something different.
"Take it away and you will destroy the atmosphere of the place."
Retired couple Pat and John Stanley, from Faversham, are regular visitors to the market and especially like the fruit and veg stalls.
"It's far better choice, quality and price than you get in any supermarket," said Pat.
John added: "To take it away would simply be stupid because the market is very popular."
Pensioner Jean Barson, from Chestfield, comes into Canterbury especially on market days and was keen to sign the petition.
"It's part of city life and quite an attraction," she said.
"I especially like the flowers and veg stalls, but I bought a new case for a holiday the other day too."
What do you think? Take part in our poll and comment below.
