The abrupt closure of The Oasis Market in Birmingham has left many traders, including 56-year-old Rob Suckling, feeling abandoned and distressed. Suckling operated an army surplus stall at the market, engaging with customers and playing guitar before it closed suddenly on Monday, March 31. He has spent 20 years trading intermittently at the venue, which was located in Priory Square, a shopping centre managed by Hammerson.
The building was shut down indefinitely following health and safety inspections that raised concerns about fire risks. Hammerson, the property owner, deemed that the necessary corrective measures to address these risks would be disproportionate and therefore decided to terminate the tenancies of all traders in the market. In the aftermath of the closure, Suckling and his fellow stallholders were given only limited access to retrieve their belongings, resulting in many fixtures and inventory being left behind.
Describing the unsettling impact of the closure, Suckling stated, "I feel like I've been thrown out on to the street. We've been treated like crap, literally. Crap. Like our lives don't matter." He further elaborated on the social aspect of his trading experience, highlighting that his income from the stall, which averaged around £50 a week, was secondary to the communal connections he formed with customers who frequented the market.
His struggles intensified as he noted the absence of support or compensation from Hammerson following the closure, adding to the feeling of injustice among the traders. "I'm all over the place... I want justice for us traders. I want people to see what they've done to us," he expressed during an interview with BirminghamLive.
Rob's situation reflects broader concerns among displaced traders who have voiced their frustrations about navigating the aftermath of the market's closure without aid. Several traders have reportedly been wandering the streets of Birmingham in search of alternative trading locations, while others remain at risk of personal hardship due to the sudden loss of their income sources.
Hammerson has stated that it is engaging with the occupiers of Priory Square to explore viable options for relocation, although it remains uncertain if The Oasis Market was included in these discussions. A spokesperson from Hammerson emphasised that the decision to close the market was made with the safety of tenants and the public in mind, asserting that such a "difficult decision has not been taken lightly."
As Rob Suckling grapples with the challenges of this sudden change, he continues to express worry not just for himself but also for fellow traders who may be silently experiencing emotional and financial distress as they deal with the fallout from the closure. The uncertainty surrounding their futures remains a pressing concern for all involved.
Source: Noah Wire Services