More traders are choosing to leave Lincoln’s Cornhill Market, with poor footfall being blamed.
Over the past few weeks, three more stallholders have confirmed they are leaving the space: The Cookie People, PS I Fudge You, and Fabric Tattoos Embroidery.
At least two other stalls, Bradford Plants and Flippin Crèpes, left earlier this year.
The City of Lincoln Council began the £8.7 million renovation of the former Central Market in May 2022, aiming to open in the autumn of the same year. However, after facing delays, it finally opened in May 2024.
Officials have called the space “a perfect blend of a traditional city marketplace and a high-quality food hall.”
During a visit to the market at about 2pm on Thursday, 19 December, several stalls were vacant, with more preparing to close soon.
Verena Hanley, 30, owner of Fabric Tattoos Embroidery, acknowledged that “everybody has their own reasons” for leaving but noted that footfall “has been one of the many topics of discussion among us traders.”
She explained: “For me, I would be looking at building up my capital for January and February, which is usually a quiet time for retail, through November and December. Being here five days a week, I haven’t been able to do many events and markets because I own and run this place myself.
“With the footfall being low—not just in Lincoln; everywhere seems to be low—I haven’t been able to build up that capital.”
Ms Hanley also highlighted that her time at the market had allowed her to work on a new business plan, utilising contacts she made there, but she now feels she has outgrown the space.
She added that external challenges, such as trolls on social media and negative coverage from certain local media outlets, “have given us a difficult year.”
After Bradford Plants announced its departure in September, owner Jo Bradford suggested that high rents made the market space unsustainable for small businesses.
When asked if she agreed, Verena responded: “If you look at the commercial rates within the city centre and the lease agreements that you would be dealing with, this is the cheapest on the market you’re going to get for the lowest risk possible.”
Reflecting on her time in the space, she described it as a “great learning experience.” Ms Hanley is currently running a clearance sale before her stall closes after Sunday (22 December).
The owners of PS I Fudge You shared the news of their departure on Facebook earlier this week, writing: “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce our time at the Cornhill Market will come to an end this coming Sunday. After months of challenges out of our control, we’ve had to make the incredibly difficult decision to close our shutters one last time.
“Whilst this chapter didn’t turn out as we hoped, we’re leaving stronger, with our passion for our product and love for what we do still shining brightly. This experience will not define us, and we’re looking forward to bigger and brighter things ahead.”
Similarly, the owners of The Cookie People posted: “Unfortunately, we will be leaving the Cornhill Market after Christmas. Not every risk works out, and this is one of those times.
“But, we have taken some very valuable lessons away from this, so not all is lost. Ready to focus on some very exciting things happening in 2025.”
In response to the news, Kate Ellis, strategic director of major developments for the City of Lincoln Council, said: “As with all markets, we have the usual turnover of traders who have decided that holding a stall with us isn’t the right thing for them and are moving on to other things. We have a strong waiting list and are working with new businesses who are eager to join us in the new year.
“Enabling this is all part of our business support work and is the nature of start-up and small business growth.
“We are currently working with all our traders to pull together an exciting programme for 2025. We are also working with them on a review, and aim to take the elements that were successful in 2024 and build on them in 2025.”
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