by John Prince
There were tears, memories and hopes for the future as Skirlington Market near Skipsea held its final day of trading at the weekend, ending 40 years at its familiar home.
Generations have spent their weekends browsing the stalls, hunting for bargains and meeting friends.
For many traders, some from families who have worked there for decades, the market has been more than just a place of business.
After a long fight to keep it open on its original site, the farewell was marked by the annual Spooky Sunday Halloween celebrations, heartfelt speeches and a countdown to the final bow out. A special song had also been written for the day.
But this was not quite goodbye, as the market is due to reopen at a new location just up the road next spring.
For director Angela Parry (below), whose father Keith Bemrose founded the market in 1986, the day was deeply personal.
She said: “It’s a sad day. I can’t actually believe that’s it here after 40 years. I’ve been here since I was 15. I had a sweet stall here.
“It’s been a part of my life for all those years.”
However, Angela was enthusiastic about the new home, surrounded by mature trees, which she hopes will retain familiar touches including the helter-skelter.
“All the staff are coming with us, and the majority of the traders. Some can’t which is really sad. Some need an indoor market, which we haven’t got at the moment.
“But who knows what will happen in the future? We need to start and get the new market open. It’s almost like a rebirth. I think that’s the right way to look at it.
“We fought, but it’s how it’s worked out. I do really love the new site. It’s beautiful. We’ve got an exciting plan coming together.
“It’ll still feel like Skirlington, but we will be scaling it up to version two.”
Among the traders saying an emotional farewell was Jade Cook from Rotherham, whose family (above) has been trading there for more than two decades years. Her father runs a satellite and aerial stall, while her mother and grandmother have a bag stall.
Jade (above in pink) first started there as a teenager and fondly recalled arriving at 6am after nights out and sleeping under her market stall.
“Me and my mum have been in tears most of the morning,” she said. “It’s the end of an era, but the start of a new one. We’re giving the new one a go, no mistake. See how we get on.”
The family intends to return to the new market despite the hour-and-40-minute journey.
Darren Sparham, from Driffield, said: “There’s nothing we can do but we tried our best. Money talks in the end.
“It’s sad really. I’ve been here 23 years and it’ll take ages to strip everything down. It’s not going to take a week. But it is what it is. I’ll be there at the new market.”
For Zoe Willams, from Hull, who has run the indoor market café for 20 years, moving is more difficult. She had seven people, including herself, working on the final day.
“The new site doesn’t have the indoor facilities that I need. I’ve lost business but I’ve bought myself a mobile catering van so I’m going to continue,” she said.
Suzanne Close, who has spent years raising money for Dove House Hospice through her stall, said: “I’m gutted. It won’t be the same but who knows. Everything will start from day one again and you build on it. It’s a reset now. A fresh new start.”
Tony Williams (above), of Reds Preserves, hoped customers would follow the traders but worried about competition and displaying his jams and pickles outdoors. He also trades at Hornsea’s Floral Hall.
“It’s shame,” he said. “I hope people will come back.”
Lisa Webster, from Webbo Accessories, said: “It’s sad because it’s like a family here. Everyone is nearby and we know everyone.
“All being well, we can all start again on the new site.”
The closure follows a long-running dispute over Unity Holidays’ plans to redevelop the neighbouring Skirlington Coast holiday park and expand onto the current market site.
A petition to save the market gathered more than 12,000 signatures before East Riding Council approved redevelopment plans in July.
Unity Holidays has since worked with the market’s directors and helped the market find its new home.
The new venue, on land opposite Far Grange golf course towards Bridlington, will cover 30 acres, more than twice the space currently used.
Plans include hardstanding for the market, a grass field for car booters, more parking and catering and seating facilities.
It will be outdoors and operate seasonally, from spring to October, with organisers aiming for an Easter 2027 opening, subject to the work and ground conditions.
At the farewell gathering, Keith Bemrose (above left, with Tom and Angela Parry) thanked staff, customers, car booters and traders.
He grew emotional as he reflected on the market’s history, including his own mother’s involvement in its earliest days.
“My mother was the one who did the washing up when it first started 40 years ago,” he said.
Keith was optimistic about the reopening, telling the crowd: “I just feel that it’ll be a great, great success next year.”
His son-in-law Tom Parry then thanked the staff for their early starts and hard work, before paying tribute to those who made the market what it was.
“You are Skirlington,” he said. “We may organise it, but you’re the ones setting the stalls up, bringing the characters, the conversations and all the things people come here to buy.
“Take all that away, and this is just an empty farmyard. Put you all together, and you are the ones that made Skirlington Market.
“Yes, we’re going to miss this place, but we don’t have to leave it behind. The friendships, the characters, what we’ve built – we can take all of that with us.”
Angela thanked everyone who had been part of the market’s story, including traders who had come and gone and the customers who supported it week after week.
“I just hope we see them all over the road in the spring,” she said.
Finally, Angela led the crowd in a countdown from 10 to zero. As the confetti cannons went off, Take That’s Never Forget played across the market.
So after 40 years, one chapter of Skirlington Market’s story has closed – but another exciting one is about to open soon.
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