'A lifeline for the community': Meet the traders behind the centuries-old Leeds market that's still thriving

Every Thursday, Market Place in Wetherby is bustling with shoppers.

Locals and tourists alike are gathered for one thing: the weekly Wetherby Market.

The tradition dates back to 1240 when a Royal Charter from King Henry III granted the Knights Templar permission to host a market every Thursday.

And now, from 10am-3pm on a Thursday, you’ll see market traders selling a wide array of goods including fruit, flowers, and fashion items.

Sweet seller Melanie Hunt is one of the newest traders on the market, after giving up her corporate job for 21 years to run the Sweet Feast Shack.

Since arriving at the market, she’s felt welcomed by fellow traders, customers, and particularly Wetherby Town Council.

Melanie told the Yorkshire Evening Post: “Everybody here’s really friendly. There aren’t many other places that when the wind’s blowing will bring out extra weights for traders.

“Because it’s not a massive market, it’s more intimate.”

Just a few metres away from Melanie’s sweet van is Simply Delish, an Asian food stall run by Shan Ajaib.

Shan has been selling pre-packaged curries and starters at the market for 18 months and he’s quickly built a loyal customer base within the town.

“We do market days to ensure the people of Wetherby can get good quality food at a reasonable price,” Shan said.

“In that year and a half, we’ve got quite a few regular customers - there are people now changing their curry night to coincide with us being here.”

Like many of the regular traders, Shan sets up his stall at the market come rain or shine, and with a strong footfall in the area, customers are willing to brave the tough weather too for a bargain.

Neighbouring Shan’s stall is David Virdee, a veteran market trader who has been trading at Wetherby Market for 32 years.

His business, Dave’s 5 a Day, sells fresh fruit and veg, and it’s a job with a tough work schedule that David is more than familiar with.

David said: “It’s long hours - I leave the house at about half past three in the morning.

“Your body gets used to it I suppose, even in the cold you don’t really think about it.”

Over the years, David has noticed that Wetherby Market has become quieter, as food traders compete with supermarket offerings.

Fellow trader Susan Henry, who holds a stall selling women’s clothes, has also seen a change over time - with the rise of internet shopping making market trading harder. But she thinks the market offers something the internet cannot: socialisation.

“You interact with people,” Susan said.

“People don’t interact anymore, they’re not sociable and what do you get from looking at a computer screen? You’re better off getting out and getting involved in communities.”

Though business is quieter than it used to be, Susan has still seen visitors come from across the UK to shop at Wetherby Market.

This tourism is why Town Clerk Dianne Rickaby also sees the market is an essential to the village’s culture.

Dianne said: “The atmosphere is great.

“We get people come from Stockton, Scarborough, all over really, because the traders offer a variety of goods.

“On some high streets you probably wouldn’t get what we’re actually offering.”

Dianne said the “beauty” of the market is the way it “complements” the independent businesses in the market town.

She also believes if the market disappeared, its absence would be keenly felt across the village.

Dianne added: “I think the market is definitely a lifeline for people who like to just come out and socialise and it helps break isolation.”

In our weekly In Your Corner series, we’re visiting suburbs across the city to explore the issues that matter to you. From joining a litter picking army in Pudsey to meeting the people redefining Armley’s reputation, we’re shining a spotlight on the people of Leeds who bring every corner of our city together.