Idlewells market traders positive about shopping centre’s future as it goes up for sale

By George Palmer-Soady

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Traders at Sutton’s Idlewells Indoor Market are positive about the centre’s future after it was put up for sale for £3m.

Councillor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), who leads Ashfield District Council, also said the Idlewells is in a strong position to be sold.

It was revealed on Monday (December 2) the centre, off Market Street, will be put up for auction on December 12.

Managers Davlea Estates say the decision isn’t due to a decline in footfall, telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service there has been a “huge amount of interest” and that a bidding war is expected.

Ashfield District Council currently operates the Idlewells Indoor Market inside the centre, which houses over 20 independent shops and cafes.

The Ashfield Independent-run council says the sale will not have an impact on the market.

The market area underwent refurbishment works that began in 2017 and cost £1.8m. Traders say footfall has improved in the past year.

Rachel Annabel owns Little Bee Lingerie, which has been at the market for nine months. She says the area’s ‘community hub’ feel has brought more people into the area.

“I’ve found that this year has been great for me,” she said.

“Obviously the cold weather has come in, so I’m selling a lot more hats and gloves, but the footfall in here is getting better.

“We’ve always had a good footfall of customers anyway, and they’ve always come in and met up and had a coffee.

“We’ve found there’s been a really nice community hub in here.”

Mathew Almazan, who runs phone repair shop iFracture, which he set up last April, said: “I expected more [business] than I’ve seen so far.

“November has been a bit slow but I think people aren’t wanting to get their phones fixed a month before Christmas. But I think December will make up for it.”

The centre is currently owned by London-based investment company Midos Group.

Some of the current occupiers include JD Sports, B&M, Specsavers, Greggs, Scriven’s, Boots, Superdrug, Vodafone, Holland & Barrett and Peacocks.

Back in 2021, the shopping centre celebrated its 50th anniversary. After being acquired by Davlea Estates in April 2023, the centre itself was refurbished.

Cllr Jason Zadrozny says he is optimistic about the centre’s future, and believes the potential interest in Idlewells is indicative of other regeneration in the town.

“I don’t think you see Idlewells in isolation – you can hear the bustle down the bottom [of the town centre].

“That’s where we’re spending £2 million rebuilding Portland Square and developing a new market space.

“Just around the corner there, we’re building the new Cornerstone theatre – a multi-million pounds regeneration project.

“And Idlewells is a key part of Sutton town centre.”