'I think we'll get there': Market traders and shoppers positive amid £4.2m regeneration
Rawtenstall market traders and shoppers are positive about the temporary new site as the £4.2m regeneration of the town’s market hall begins.
Street-food outlets and traditional market stalls have been relocated to cabins at the square and shop units in Rawtenstall bus station by Rossendale Council. The old market hall is being revamped over the next 12 months using Levelling-Up cash.
Market stalls open on Thursdays and Saturdays, while food outlets, some with bars and indoor seating, open across four days and evenings, Thursdays to Sundays. But traders say the market and wider town centre need promoting like Bury, and they would like to see customers protection from wet weather they say.
Tim, Micaela and Olivia Gregson run Pizza Box. In the past, Tim said he was active in music festival catering but later focused on the market. He said: “It’s early days here but I think this place will be good. It’s got a lot of potential and we’ve had some great customer feedback.
“There were some very busy days recently with good weather, with lots of families. Some businesses still have have work to do on their stalls and we need some covered space for customers. But I think we’ll get there.
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“Weekends and evenings are the busy times for us, while daytime trade is more for traditional stalls. However, I don’t think everybody knows were are here, so some publicity would be good. It’s good to see Town Square being occupied. It needs activity to feel alive and inviting.
“It could really come to life in future and I think the council realises this. Looking ahead, I think some wide consultation on the market hall’s direction would be good, for traders and the public. I’m not sure everyone wants it to be purely a food court or if the town needs that?”
‘SETTLED-IN’
Emma Holden, from Crawshawbooth, runs The Coop street-food business with mum Mandy White. Emma, preparing some chicken, said: “We’ve had stalls for over 20 years. We’re really pleased with this new location and have settled-in. There’s a nice atmosphere.
“But the square could do with some cover for customers. We also want to see events. It’s a great community space. In good weather, there are loads of people and children playing.”
Mandy added: “I think Rossendale Council pulled it out the bag with this. While no situation is ever perfect, I think they’ve done a pretty good job. Some traders were against moving from the market hall but most are pretty happy now.
“I also think the market manager, Lyndsay Rawson, who works for the council, has been brilliant. She’s gone above-and-beyond for everyone. We’re lucky to have her.
“Rawtenstall has always had a market and there are good stalls, not just the hot food businesses. People want a nice mix of stalls. Some stalls are inside the bus station and more accessible to some older people.”
‘GOOD POSITION’
Sue Duxbury runs a long-established sweet stall. She said: “I’m in a good position here. I get customers of all ages, young and old. Builders love this stall. But I’ve had a canopy added for customer shelter.”
Shopper Vivienne Entwistle, from Rawtenstall, said: “This new location is easier to reach. Once traders have got used to it, they’ll be happy. But I’d like the old market hall renovated and to stay a good traditional market.”
Les Litwinenko, from Crawshawbooth, said: “I visit here almost every day it’s open. I don’t think it needs much doing now, except some customer shelter. But I do think music, events and special pop-up markets would be good. They should definately get an entertainment stage.”
Cathy Fishwick, from Rossendale Civic Trust, said: “It’s too early to say how things are going . We’ll be keeping a close eye on here and the market hall. Events were already happening at the square, which have been withdrawn because of the market’s arrival. Now, anybody wanting to use the square has to think if it’s suitable? We want a resolution to this and some thought on what happens next? It’s important to think ahead for the market and town, not just here-and-now.”
‘GLAD TO BE OPEN’
Inside a bus station unit, Carol Blinkhorn runs a cooked meats stall. She said: “It’s been a big change but it’s nice to be here. A lot of customers prefer it, being near the buses. I have no preference really.
“But I’m grateful Rawtenstall Market hasn’t shut, like other markets. Some scaremongers said the council was ‘doing this or that’. But I think the council has been good. I’m glad to be here.”
Steph Pilling and Ryan Hughes work at Mark Smithers Butchers stall. Ryan said: “We’d have liked a bit more room. We had more space for display counters at the old market hall. Here, we can’t display everything . We have to go back-and-forth to storage fridges and have signs encouraging customers to ask for things they can’t see.”
They both felt the market and Rawtenstall town centre need promoting.
Steph said: “Coach trips go to Bury Market and Bury promotes its East Lancashire Railway links. But Rawtenstall has a market, its steam railway station and Mr Fitzpatrick’s temperance bar. Visitors would love Rawtenstall – but it needs promoting.”