TRADERS will gather in Tyldesley Market Square for the official return of a weekly market tomorrow, Friday.

Thanks to the efforts of residents, in partnership with the council, the market will be running every Friday.

A fresh fish stall and butchers have already been trading on the square for the past few weeks and tomorrow they will be joined by a fruit and veg stall and a cake and bread stall, which will be on the market from 9am until 3pm.

Glen Furnival, who trades as the Fish Man of Fleetwood, said: “I’m really pleased Tyldesley Market is coming back to Tyldesley and I can play my part by bringing fresh fish from Fleetwood here every Friday morning.”

Glen, who also trades from Leigh Market, said the response so far in Tyldesley had been hugely positive.

He said: “The support from the people of Tyldesley has been great, really positive, and I’m sure it will continue as the market grows.”

Alan Smith, a butcher for Carl Doyle Meats, said: “It’s really good that a market is back on Tyldesley Market Square and we are a part of it.

“Hopefully it will keep on growing and get back to being like the good old days.”

A complete redesign of the market square was completed, last year including the laying of 60,000 new granite blocks, the installation of a permanent Christmas tree and the cleaning and repositioning of the popular fountain.

There is now 75 per cent more open space on the square and a new power supply has been installed to make it a more desirable and attractive venue for events.

Julie Grundy, a member of Tyldesley Residents Association, which approached the council with the idea of bringing back the market, said: “It must be more than 20 years since we had a market in Tyldesley.

"We wanted it back so that residents would be able to shop locally and get fresh produce that they can’t get here any more.

"It is a market instigated by the people for the people.

“We are hoping that it will support local business and make Tyldesley a destination, rather than a pass through, and especially with the guided bus way coming, people can get off here and do some shopping.”

The improvements to the Market Square were managed by the council in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester bus priority package, which is being delivered across Leigh, Atherton, Tyldesley, Salford and Manchester Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “It’s great to see that Tyldesley Market Square is again being used by traders.

“When we originally envisaged the new-look square we immediately thought that the increased space would be a fantastic opportunity for the local community to hold events and, of course, a local market.

“We’re very close to seeing the busway open and once it does is it will provide people from outside the area with an opportunity to visit Tyldesley and sample what the market has on offer.

“I’m sure it will go from strength to strength.”

Cllr David Molyneux, cabinet member for regeneration, said he hopes residents get behind the market.

He added: “It is excellent news that a market has returned to Tyldesley Market Square.

“We were delighted to support the community’s idea to re-instate it, and thanks to the investment in the Market Square it is now the perfect place to host a market.

“I really hope the residents of Tyldesley get behind it and support it as it grows.”