'End of an era' for Skirlington Market

Traders have told of their sadness as a market vacates its 40-year-old site.

Skirlington Market, in Skipsea, East Yorkshire, is moving to a field on the road to Bridlington.

In July, Unity Holidays was granted approval to build sports facilities on the current site.

The market closed on Sunday, but is expected to reopen at its new home in spring.

Stallholder Jade Cook said: "Trying to make it work in today's society and competing against big companies is very difficult, so it matters a lot to small businesses.

"It's a big, big part of our community that's going, and so we'll be very sad to see it go."

Cook, whose mother and father traded at the site for 24 years, added: "My mum's had a little tear today. My dad's had a little tear closing and locking up the unit for the last time.

"But yeah, the end of an era and the start of a new one, that's what we keep saying and reminding ourselves."

She said she would be moving to the new site when it opens.

Due to Storm Boelo, which battered the region at the weekend, traders were relocated inside for the final market.

Sharon McNulty, who traded at the site for five years, said the day had been "very sad" and "very emotional."

"We've had a lot of very upset customers giving us cuddles and crying... it's a community, and it's coming to an end and it is quite sad."

Skirlington Market is on the site of Skirlington Coast - a family holiday park, which was bought by Unity Holidays in 2024.

Angela Parry, director of the market, said the changes to the market had highlighted how it was "a big part of people's lives".

"What's really become apparent with what's happened is how many people care about the market and how it's a generational thing that people came as children, they now children and their grandchildren," she said.

"I'm so glad that we have found another site and we can continue, because it would be so sad if something like this just had to be gone."

She also confirmed the Helter Skelter, which has also been part of the market for 40 years, would be moving to the new location.

Fellow director Tom Parry echoed that it had been "very emotional and upsetting" for traders who had been at the site for a long time.

However, he said he was "looking forward to the new Skirlington."

"We're going to be opening up from spring 2027, which will be hopefully Easter, and then we'll run through until October. It will be more of a seasonal, summer market."

He urged people to continue visiting once it moves to the new site.

"There'll be more space, more parking, and hopefully we'll be bigger and better than we are today."

Dermot King, chief operating officer at Unity Holidays, previously said it was "not a decision we have taken lightly".

He added: "Skirlington Coast is a family holiday park, and we feel the land is better used to offer more to our owners and holidaymakers.

"It is our belief that by continuing to find ways to improve Skirlington Coast, we can also help drive greater footfall to our neighbours in the likes of Bridlington and Hornsea."

Mr King said the plans would lead to more employment and "support more local businesses".

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