Memories of Birmingham's Oasis market as residents fear permanent closure
Shoppers of a much-loved city centre market have said its sudden closure has left them "sick" and would be a huge loss to Birmingham's high street.The Priory Square shopping centre temporarily closed its doors on Tuesday for health and safety checks, the owners told the BBC on Thursday.But residents fear there could be a permanent closure which would mean the loss of The Oasis market, which is inside the centre.Leon Trott, who has lived in Birmingham for 70 years, said "a big part of the city would be missing".
Mr Trott, who moved to Birmingham from Bermuda, said the city centre had been "depleted" since the pandemic. "Every shop is closed, what are locals to do? I used to work here, I have friends that still work there."I feel sick. It's a part of me that's missing. It's a part of the city that's missing."Jane Hughes, who lives in Kings Norton, said she met two of her husbands at the market, which has operated since the 1970s."It's a big part of my youth and life and I'm sad that it's closed. It will be another bit of Birmingham history that will just be gone."She recalled the moment she met her husband at The Oasis' basement cafe on her 18th birthday in January 1983.
"I was in the cafe having a cup of tea, spending my birthday money and he rocked in with his messy mohawk and looking disreputable - and I thought I liked that."Amber Hennebray, also from Kings Norton, said she spent her teenage years at the market. She said she would be "devastated" if the closure was permanent. Addressing the owners, she said: "Let it open, it's been around for years, keep up with the nostalgia."Sam Jones, who has had tattoos at The Oasis, had hoped to get another one done for Mother's Day. "I was hoping to get another one today," said Ms Jones, whose had travelled there from Telford with her son Cory Parton. "It's a big part of the city, if it closes it will definately be a big loss."
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