Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

It’s back on the market!

by Sue Carr
10/ 9/2008

FOUR years on from the devastating fire which left it in ruins, Ashton Market Hall has finally been given an official re-opening date.

The £16.2m refurbishment of the Grade II listed building will be opened to shoppers on Friday, 28 November, Tameside Council has announced.

The news has been welcomed by market traders who have patiently waited for their new home to be built.

Economic chief, Councillor Kieran Quinn, was this week literally on a high — riding in a cherry-picker to unveil the date displayed on the clock tower.

"This is an iconic building, an iconic moment," he said. "The loss of the market hall had an impact on the whole community and I am pleased that we, as a council, have delivered the promise we made to the residents of Tameside. 

"Four years may seem like a long time but in development terms it’s not and one of the commitments we gave was that we would get the new market hall open before Christmas. The wet summer hasn’t helped us — we were delayed by a month — but the traders wanted to be in because the lead-up to Christmas is their busiest time. 

"There is still work to be done — final fittings, electrics, a range of safety checks — but if needs be we will work night and day to achieve that before the opening day."

Fire tore through the Victorian hall in May 2004. Investigators could not determine the cause but said it was ‘probably’ an electrical fault.

The council vowed it would rebuild the market, retaining its historic features while giving it a modern feel.

Councillor Quinn added: "We understand the importance, the heritage and history of this building. It’s still a traditional market hall but it’s going to offer a modern future for everybody."

Mandy Breen, who together with sister Wendy will be moving her cafe back into the market, said: "We can’t wait and we’d like to thank all our regulars who have continued to visit us in the temporary hall. What we have seen of the new market is absolutely brilliant, it’s going to be lovely."

Most recent 1 of 1 user comments