Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has joined local campaigners in welcoming the sale of the Barnet Market site to UBS, the parent company of the neighbouring Spires Shopping Centre. It is hoped the sale will mean the site's facilities are improved and the market can begin to return to its former glory.
In recent years, the privately owned market has suffered from a series of setbacks leading to its decline. Some years ago, the owners of the market were granted planning permission to redevelop the site in St Alban’s Road, so long as they continued to provide a home for the market. The Council stepped in to provide a temporary site for the market in Stapylton Road while building work took place. However, the redevelopment plans stalled and the market returned to the St. Alban’s Road site despite all the facilities having been demolished. Since then, the stony and uneven surface of the site has seen both traders and shoppers begin to drift away.
Theresa said, “Although it is not yet clear what UBS’s plans are for the market site, I am cautiously optimistic that they will want to improve the site and help the market to expand. After all, the market is a much valued shopping facility for local people and helps to keep the high street viable by generating trade for other local retailers, including those in The Spires.”
“This change of ownership could provide a welcome step forward towards the goal that I and residents have been working hard to achieve - an end to the uncertainty about the Market’s future which has been a major cause of its problems in recent years.”
“I remain convinced that with the right support, the Market has the potential to become a major magnet for trade and shoppers. The sale could signal a fresh start for the market and a chance to secure its long-term future. I will be putting this case strongly to the manager of The Spires who I hope to hold a meeting with very soon.”