Market traders are set to be forced from their long-standing city centre base once work begins on a controversial £1 million shopping district revamp.

Canterbury City Council’s planned transformation of “dated” St George’s Street into a leafy boulevard, complete with new lighting, paving and seating, appears set to move a step closer.

But as part of the project, the twice-weekly market will be disbanded and existing street trading licences for the area revoked when construction starts in January 2023.

Despite the authority saying they will be able to reapply for warrants elsewhere, fruit seller Jeb Hughes believes this could spell the end for a number of retailers in Canterbury.

“I can’t believe the council wouldn’t want to enhance its market, make it better, give it more funds to do different things,” the 49-year-old said.

“Some people may well have to close their businesses.

“I’ve been here for 10 years now, others for 30 years. If we weren’t wanted we certainly wouldn’t still be here after so long.”

Results from a consultation into the makeover of St George’s Street reveal that more than half of those taking part objected to permanently removing the market.

But documents prepared by the council’s head of transportation, Richard Moore, conclude “there is no suitable alternative location for a street market in the city”.

The papers also say the firm running Whitefriars, London-based New River, believes the market is a “primary risk to the operating of the shopping centre as it is seen as detrimental to the area”.

“If you can’t fill a shop because there are 14 stalls on a Wednesday and a Friday, then that’s pretty poor,” Mr Hughes continued.

“Markets tend to bring more people into the town. This is class cleansing.”

Council bosses hope the scheme will create a central space in between newly-planted trees in which activities like historical re-enactments, parades and big-screen showings can take place.

They claim this will “provide new and exciting reasons for visitors and residents to visit Canterbury”.

When there are no events scheduled, the authority will offer concessions to adjacent businesses to create seating areas, while also allowing street traders to lodge applications to show their wares along the route.

Canterbury Market Traders’ Association chairman Steve Bamber told KentOnline: “We’ve been here for a long time, and the council haven’t given us any security.

“They aren’t going to entertain bringing a market back here.

“It’s frustrating and upsetting because these are our livelihoods.”

The work is expected to take place over two six-month phases, with the first, the tree alterations, beginning in January and the main construction starting a year later.

Councillors will decide at the regeneration committee meeting tomorrow (Thursday) whether to disband the market and terminate street trading licences in the area when building commences in 2023 .

“By encouraging and curating a seasonal programme of events and activities we can create repeated reasons for visitors to come and see what’s new in Canterbury,” Mr Moore writes.

“When there is no programmed activity, the council will offer concessions to adjacent businesses for tables and chairs and existing street traders and market traders would also be able to apply.

“It’s frustrating and upsetting because these are our livelihoods...”

Selection criteria will include quality and suitability of products, suitability of location and the overall benefit to the city centre.”

Members will also decide on whether to carry out a review of street trading pitches in the city centre.

All existing street and market traders will consequently be able to apply for licences, as long as they meet the council’s selection criteria.

Mr Moore also wants members to back the boulevard plans for St George’s Street, ahead of another vote next month.

‘Street will be barren eyesore’

Another concern raised about the boulevard plans is the proposed felling of five of the trees along the route.

Mr Moore revealed the city council is aiming to remove the trees from St George’s Street between January and June next year, after an independent survey stated they have “outgrown their situation”.

Five of the six currently there will be replaced by 14 semi-mature trees, which will be planted either side of the thoroughfare, to make the area “greener”.

But city Green Party member Anna Peckham warns the street will become a “barren eyesore”.

“It will be less green for the foreseeable future, with new trees taking decades to reach maturity,” she explained.

“Decision-makers should be aware of research showing that shopping areas with mature trees do better in terms of retail sales than those without.”

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