Plans to move Rawtenstall Market traders to a temporary town centre site while the indoor market hall and surrounds are redeveloped have been approved by Rossendale Council’s cabinet.
Food and non-food traders will be housed in kiosks or other structures at Rawtenstall’s new Town Square, near the bus station, from March for around a year.
Events, alcohol licensing arrangements and promotional activity is planned to support the traders and the wider town centre economy through the changes. Rawtenstall Market has become known for independent food stalls and evening events such as ‘Foodie Fridays’.
The market hall revamp is using some of the levelling-up funds given to Rossendale Council by the previous Conservative government. This week, Rossendale Council’s cabinet agreed a number of measures including bringing some retail kiosks from Ashton Market in Greater Manchester to Rawtenstall Town Square, in a deal with Tameside Council. Work will start this month.
A sum of £100,000 has been earmarked for this, which includes dismantling four Ashton kiosks, transport and crane hire. Individual kiosks will cost between £5,000 and £7,000.
Separately, food stalls with will be specifically designed for food traders. These will have fume extraction units, refrigeration, lighting and utilities. Overall, the whole temporary relocation scheme for all traders has been earmarked a budget of £500,000.
‘A safe environment’
A computer generated image of how the market could look
(Image: Rossendale Council)
Speaking at Rossendale Council’s latest cabinet meeting, Labour Coun Chris Harris, who has an economic remit, explained the plans. The temporary stalls would provide a safe environment for traders while works take place at the market hall, provide continuity of trade and support the local economy.
He said: “These recommendations are about the next steps to take the market to a temporary position in the Town Square for about one year. There have been meetings with market traders and council officers to consider things. One outstanding issue is the appointment of a new market management team because the current one is ending around March. “
Last autumn, it was announced that Rossendale-based Play Market Management will end its current management of Rawtenstall Market. That came after a period of controversy over potential future ideas to relocate food-and-drink stalls from outside to inside the market hall, and possibly create a new central bar. Some food-and-drinks stallholders said creating a central bar would hit their incomes.
At the cabinet, Coun Harris continued: “The council is able to buy at scrappage prices some stalls for retail traders. We are still to do more work on food stall details. Overall, there will be a phase transfer of traders to the town square to minimise disruption.”
Marketing and promotion
A plan to support the changes and boost visitor numbers will include events, marketing and promotion. And a premises licence will allow the sale of alcohol and events, according to the council plans,
Regarding rents, market traders will be provided with a minimum of one month rent-free from the opening of the temporary market and be charged 80 per cent of current rents. There will also be agreements on utility charges and waste removal.
Labour Coun Alyson Barnes, the leader of Rossendale Council, said: “We have had various meetings internally about this, so I think councillors are aware of the details. There are almost 50 businesses at the market so it’s very important we provide the temporary accommodation. From what I have read and understand, traders are happy with these ideas. “
Members of the public and a Rawtenstall chamber of trade representative were at the meeting but none asked questions about the market. They had questions about other topics such as the new roadworks in Rawtenstall.
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