Major expansion plans have been announced for Middlesbrough’s Dundas Indoor Market.
It is taking over the shop which was occupied by Fulton’s Food before its closure in 2021, adding 2,500 sq ft of new retail space to create seven extra units for local independent traders.
One will be occupied by soccer memorabilia business ASB Football Shirts which has been highly successful since moving into the Market earlier this year. Also moving to a bigger unit will be PM Toys and Collectables which has traded there for more than three years.
That leaves opportunities for seven new independents – or established businesses looking to relocate – as well as improved access for customers heading to the Indoor Market.
Its Manager David Harris said: “We are looking to grow the range of goods and services we provide here. We would be particularly keen to welcome a fruit and veg business, a florist, a men’s barber and a mobile phone retailer.”
He added: “This is great news for Middlesbrough’s shoppers who over the past few years have seen some of their favourite retailers disappear from the town centre. Its revival will be driven by independent traders offering products you can’t find anywhere else and at affordable prices.”
The re-working of Fulton’s is the latest in a series of investments in the Market and Dundas Shopping Centre.
In the summer the former Boyes store – which occupies the biggest shop space in the Centre – was returned to retail use after a six year gap when the YMCA charity opened a superstore. Across the mall the Brickyard Bakery opened 10 months ago and Jean’s Kitchen, the ever popular café in the Indoor Market, expanded. New signage and lighting has been installed throughout.
Mark Bythway of ASB Football Shirts said he chose to open his shop in Dundas because “it’s at the heart of Teesside, bang in the middle of the town – and it couldn’t have gone any better.”
He added: “My customers know that I’ve got a lot of stock for the space I’ve got, so moving somewhere bigger is going to be an ideal way to let them properly see our fantastic range of shirts.”
Paul Johnson – who runs PM Toys and Collectables with his brother Michael – said: “We’ve built up a loyal following of collectors over the last few years and this is going to be a great opportunity to showcase some of the rare and fantastic items we have for sale.”
The news about the Market expansion comes at a busy time for the shopping centre which has just staged a free concert featuring six local bands and singers.
Their songs are already played to shoppers as part of a Promoting Local campaign.