Market revamp pledge for stallholders

2:41pm Thursday 23rd August 2007

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MARKET traders have been promised a boost for their rundown hall.

Stallholders at Westhoughton Market have endured a testing two years with threats of closure, redevelopment and plummeting trade.

But Bolton Council markets chiefs are now pledging to revamp the rundown Market Street hall and help traders boost their flagging businesses.

They say a list of enhancement options will be put to the council's executive members within the next month.

David Mee, the council's head of property services, said the decision to revamp the hall was taken after developers, who were set to transform the site, withdrew plans earlier this year, fearing it would leave them out of pocket.

Mr Mee told a meeting of Westhoughton Town Council: "There is now considerable doubt as to whether any other developer could produce a viable scheme. Therefore, the emphasis has switched from redevelopment to enhancement for the market.

"Options have been finalised and we will enter a consultation period with interested parties, including traders, after they have been discussed with executive members."

Stallholders had fought the plans put forward by Melrose Developments which could have involved the stalls shutting up shop for 18 months while the hall was redeveloped with newly built apartments above.

And 15 traders moved out amid uncertainty over its future.

Only 10 stallholders remain in the hall, where they operate without an electrical system after it was removed due to health and safety concerns last year.

Card stallholder Cath Higham, who was at the town council meeting, said: "We need the market to be advertised to more traders and to people in Westhoughton to let them know it is still open."

Mr Mee agreed to consider options, such as a rent rebate, to compensate the traders for lost custom, as well as the possibility of getting tables and chairs to help them reopen the market cafe.

Westhoughton town councillor Brian Clare said: "We should encourage other small shops or antiques traders to the market building and get these people their livelihoods back."