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Paddy's traders propose counter deal

Traders at Paddy's Market have hit back today at council plans to try to rid the city of the so-called 'crime ridden midden' with a proposal to take on the job of tackling the concerns in the area themselves.

A counter proposal put forward by a group of legitimate traders would see them form a not-for-profit trust which would take on the lease and secure the area to make it a safer environment for all.

The council recently unveiled a plan to take over the lease of the area from Network Rail, claiming that it would clean out the area and create a Camden-style market of its own with ethnic crafts for sale. However, the Council's plan would cost the tax payer up to £130,000 for the lease and a substantial amount of additional public money if the site were to be developed further by the Council. A council document also revealed that one of the proposals put forward was in fact to store the city's Christmas lights in the arches along Shipbank Lane where Paddy's Market is currently situated.

Traders' spokesperson Hazel McGeachin said:

"It would be ironic to say the least if the council put dozens of people out of work and destroyed this village-like community in order to store the Christmas lights. I mean I am no expert but that does not sound very Christian to me."

The traders' proposal would also enhance the 150-year-old market and make it more attractive to tourists such as those on the open-top bus that pass the street each day on the City Sightseeing tour.

The traders' proposals also includes a vetting process for all tenants and traders to ensure that their activities are compatible with the strategic vision for Paddy's Market and a zero-tolerance policy on illegal trading of any kind In addition, the trust would also seek to gate Shipbank Lane in order to improve security outwith trading hours and reduce vandalism, graffiti and fly-tipping. Traders also want to erect permanent, canopied outdoor stalls to improve the aesthetics and appearance of Paddy's Market and provide any additional improvement of the external fabric of the outside area and arches.

The traders are also keen to establish education and outreach programmes on issues such as reduce, reuse, recycle being taught in the city's primary schools and the role of Paddy's Market in the City's social and cultural history.

Brian Daly, (Spokesperson, Paddy's Market Committee) said:

"Many families, such as my own, go back over three generations in this market. My grandmother started here at the turn of the 20th century selling clothes that she gathered in her rag and woollens business. You see Paddy's was way ahead of its time - green long before it was fashionable."

Traders also believe Paddy's serves a vital role in providing affordable second-hand household goods to people who cannot afford to buy new, as well as providing a place where elderly people can go regularly to get a hot meal.

"You can't create a community like this it just grows. It would be a shame to lose this unique piece of Glasgow's heritage for the sake of creating a sterile precinct added Mr Daly.

Many writers, musicians and artists such as Oscar Marzaroli and Avril Paton have created iconic works thanks to the inspiration of Paddy's over the years and it is hoped that under the traders' proposals the story of Paddy's and depictions of some of its more colourful characters would be on show to shoppers.

The market has recently been criticised because its location close to the river makes it an attractive trading area for drug dealers. But it is hope that under these proposals Shipbank Lane would be fenced off at either end making it easier to police what happens during the market hours, and preventing criminals from using the area at night.

Despite the cost of improvements and renovations traders still believe the cost to the tax payer will be less than the yearly lease the council would have to pay to Network Rail. The Traders have outlined their proposals in a letter to each Glasgow City Councillor which includes a commitment of the proposed Trust to develop a close working relationship with agencies such as Network Rail, the council's Department of Land and Environmental Services, Trading Standards, Strathclyde Fire Brigade and the Police to ensure that Paddy's Market is a clean, fair and safe community. Traders have set up an online petition at www.savepaddys.org to allow people to show their support.

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Paddy's traders propose counter deal

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