Man turns to Marks and Spencer in ‘desperate’ bid to keep family business

Mr Featherstone said his plans would complement the regeneration of Birkenhead. He told the ECHO: “He is trying to move forward in a positive way. All the traders want this,” adding: “I want the council to see the logic in this, to see that it’s a good idea for the town center and the traders.”

The idea of ​​a new market in the vacant unit in St Johns Square was first mooted in 2019 and proved popular with traders. However, Wirral Council felt it was too expensive as Marks and Spencer would have to give up the lease at the time and the local authority did not own the Pyramids shopping center at the time.

The new proposal has received the nod from the Birkenhead Market Tenants Association, which said traders were in favor of the idea. Those who spoke to the ECHO praised its location and size, feeling it was the only option they had left.

Mike Eccles’ family have run Billy Hills Curtains for 76 years, first opening on the market in 1948. He said: “I’m 100 per cent behind the idea because there is no alternative. At the size of my business, there won’t be enough space in Argos. Looks like we need to apply for a position. I have a business that has been around for three generations.”

He said: “It has great advantages. It is right in the center of the shopping area. A lot of birds are generated in the market. Unfortunately if we are pushed into Argos my business will go out of business. I couldn’t afford to spend a fortune on the store. I am desperate to continue as I have two workers and several employees who rely on my business for their livelihood. There are a lot of people who directly or indirectly depend on this business.

“The number of customers who agree to say we’re really hoping you get into M&S because Argos isn’t good enough. Nobody wants Argos at all. This comes from the public, not just us traders. They say we’re keeping our fingers crossed that you manage to get in there.”

Terry O’Reilly, who heads Just Specs Optical, said: “M&S is in a really good position. Many customers say they would prefer the market to be more in M&S’s position. It is right in the center of the city and would suit all traders. They wouldn’t close businesses.

“What it shows is that at no point did they listen to us or anyone who lives in this city about where to put the market.”

While considering this, Mr O’Reilly said: “Not everyone is in a position to move. There is safety in numbers. If M&S were to spin off I would put my shop there 100%. I would be with my friends and I think it would be great. It’s just unfortunate it wouldn’t be the money the council would have spent on a new market.”

However, there was strong sentiment among other traders. Wirral Council could try to stop the plans. To set up a market in Marks and Spencer, Mr Featherstone must apply for a market rights license and the local authority, as the owner of the shopping centre, will need to agree to the sublet.

Tommy Roberts had once been positive about the council and the market’s future when he spoke to the ECHO in 2023. Now he said: “It’s not going to happen, not because people don’t want it to happen, but the council is going to force it. not to happen. The council wouldn’t allow that.

“They can license them, but they’d find a reason to take them out. They’re going to put a brick wall in front of it. I can’t even explain how bad it is. I wish it would happen, but I can. I don’t either i see it happening Argos.

Joe Orr, president of the tenants’ association, said: “I feel optimistic. Such a locally-led project would be much fairer to traders,” adding: “I feel it’s the only option for traders because of the size of Argos.

“I would like to say that this is what happens when you do not have a consultation with the traders. Argos is the result of not consulting or listening to anyone. I don’t feel they listened to the traders, customers or the community. Everyone thinks it’s a bad idea.

“There are examples of successful projects like this across the country that are working and not being run by the council. If the council is not prepared to create a market big enough for everyone, then traders have no choice but to do it themselves. I had a lack of support and a lot of promises. They never listened.”

The Argos proposal was approved by the majority of councilors with Labor and Tory support, but was heavily criticized by the Wirral Green Party and the Liberal Democrats. The local authority said the new market will “breathe new life into Birkenhead town centre” and Argos is “both big enough and keeps the market close to the town center whilst being in good condition”.

A Wirral Council spokesman said: “Work to deliver the new Birkenhead Market remains a key focus of the authority’s ambitions for Birkenhead town centre. The Council will continue to work with the Birkenhead Market Traders Association (BMTA) and engage with traders on the proposals for the new Birkenhead Market. The intention is to provide a sustainable and popular market and the proposals followed a series of meetings between council staff, market experts and those trading at Birkenhead Market to find the best way this can be achieved.”

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