Oasis Market was a 'coming of age place' for so many Brummies

The 'indefinite' closure of the Oasis Market feels like the end of an era. For many, including me, it was a coming-of-age place, a safe space we could go as teenagers whilst feeling a bit rebellious at the same time. I can still remember the smell, walking into the rabbit warren of staircases and floors full of indie shops - a mixture of incense, leather, unwashed hair and cigarettes.

We loved it. My friend and I would go each and every Saturday as soon as we were old enough to be allowed to catch the bus into town on our own. Read more: Priory Square shuts 'indefinitely' live as shop tenancies 'brought to end' Read next: Oasis Market traders' fears after mystery closure - how to help stalls stay 'alive' We'd spend hours trying on band T-shirts, sifting through records and CDs and buying costume jewellery and candles before making a single cup of coffee last for ages in the upstairs cafe.

Not long ago, I took my children there for a mooch and, whilst it seemed smaller and quieter than before, it was still great to feel that same welcoming vibe. It makes me so sad to think this little part of Birmingham has closed so suddenly, no chance for farewell, for reminiscing, for last minute bargain hunting, for celebratory photos to mark the nostalgia of the place. Oasis is uniquely Birmingham.

It should be re-housed elsewhere to give all those lovely traders the chance to carry on a Brummie tradition that is more than 50 years old. Bailiff notices in the windows say the 'locks have been changed on the instruction of the landlord' And I'm not alone in this thought. When I wandered around the shuttered entrances to the square (you can't even walk inside there now) and all the boarded up shops, I came across many others who were equally saddened by the closure.

Read more: Priory Square and Oasis Market 'ghost town' - in pictures Traders in Priory Square have been told the shopping centre - which houses the iconic Oasis markets - will remain closed 'indefinitely' after a health and safety inspection revealed a high fire safety risk. Lottie, 25 and from Birmingham, had her first piercing at Oasis Market . She said: "There's nothing like this anywhere else in Birmingham.

"There was also such a nice feeling here, we'd come here to shop and go into the cafe. "It's a shame for the small businesses, there were so many inside and outside. It was all so sudden, it seems suspicious.

" International student Elkie Dehaan from the Netherlands loved spending time in and around Oasis Market Elkie Dehaan is an international student from the Netherlands who is studying in Birmingham. She said: "I always walk through the Oasis Market and chat to the traders here as I go into the city. "They are lovely people in The Square, it was really nice to pass through and look at the shops.

I had my nails done here. "These people work really hard, there's nothing really like it elsewhere. I could go down to Chinatown but it's not the same.

I really like this place." One mum, who asked us not to use her name, said: "It's crazy that is has closed. We've been coming here for years.

"The cafe was great and we loved the shops. There are so many memories here. It's such a shame.

We've just walked all the way round, trying to find a way in but it's completely closed now." Another added: "It's so sad that it's closed, it's a real loss for the city. I feel like I grew up here.

"It's horrible to think that it might become flats and offices." The Square, or Priory Square as it is known, featured more than 30 shops - from record shops and clothes boutiques to tattoo parlours and wig shops. Many are independent and some are chains, such as Savers, Shoe Zone and B&M.

There's also Big John's fish and chip shop, Subway and The Grey Lantern pub. Shoezone and the entrance to The Square BirminghamLive understands the traders have been told their tenancies will be 'brought to an end' after closing suddenly last week. A letter, from property developer Hammerson, which owns the square and the Bullring , said: "We have been continuing to review the situation at Priory Square.

"Since the last update, we have received the written recommendations from the assessors, following the annual fire risk assessment (FRA) undertaken by them on March 26. "It has identified several aspects of Priory Square which, in combination, represent a high fire safety risk. The findings have confirmed our decision to close Priory Square last Tuesday.

"We have been actively working to establish the nature of the extent of the remedial works required in order to reduce the risk. However, it is clear that the improvements and mitigations required for safe reopening are materially beyond what is reasonably practicable to implement. "This would include the necessary vacation of Priory Square for a prolonged period of time to upgrade the electrical system.

"Following our careful review, and with the safety of all our tenants and members of the public as a priority, we have taken the decision that the only option is to close Priory Square indefinitely.".