Leeds City Council have predicted 2025 to be another ‘bumper’ year for Kirkgate Market with visitor numbers increasing following a multi-million-pound investment, but how do those heading the stalls feel about the state of their beloved workplace?
The Grade One-listed building is the largest indoor market in Europe and has been a fixture of Leeds’s high street since 1822. According to the council’s official statement, a significant investment of 10 million pounds continues to be pumped into the regeneration project, which has already seen twenty-four units be refurbished, with sixteen more on the way by March this year.
On the surface, this all seems to be indicative of a prospering project of improvement. But for those at the heart of the action, all may not be as it seems.
David Schofield has been running David’s Bargain Stall in the outside market since 1978, he holds a different view on the current state of the market.
“It (the market) has been going backwards for the last thirty years… it has just been badly run, the whole market is badly run inside and out.”
A lot has been made of the future of the market following spikes in visitor numbers (up 4% since last year), footfall (33% increase since 2021) and number of events hosted (250 alone in 2024). However, for Schofield, there is only one way an actual improvement beneath the surface can be attained.
“If they get the right people looking after it, it could be brilliant”.
Reflection:
The task this week proved to be a very welcome test early on, my initial reaction to being set the test was one of apprehension, having done similar tasks in the second year I was still worried about the quick turnaround aspect of it.
Being put under the pressure of having to go from idea stage to production in the space of half an hour tested me in a way that needed to be done. The fact that I was so fearful of doing it is exactly the reason it should have been done, and it proved to myself that I can be proactive and streamlined with my thought process.
I decided to interview a market trader about the current state of Leeds Market, having read days prior about a multi-million pound investment in Kirkgate Market. Being able to quickly think of local stories to pursue helped me create a respectable product. Given the time constraint, I gained a wonderful insight into the process of pressure-filled work, which I hope will stand me in good stead for the future.
I was also pleased with the overall article and the emotion I was able to get out of the interviewee with just a few questions. The photograph perfectly displayed the character of the man and his willingness to help and remain cheerful despite being asked if the place he has dedicated his life to is getting worse.
Photographic Journalism 
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