Work to convert the Santander building to new market site ‘to start in the next few weeks’ as future operator still to be determined

A computer generated image of how the new market could look with the former Santander building in the background

Work to convert the former Santander building for the new market location is due to start within ‘the next few weeks’, a spokesperson for Rochdale Borough Council confirmed on Tuesday (31 January), despite stallholders still waiting to hear who the new market operator will be - almost six weeks past the initial deadline.

The Santander building and The Butts were the preferred location for the market after it moved from the Exchange Shopping Centre in 2015, but work on opening the river on The Butts prevented the move. In the meantime, the market traders have been located on the temporary site of the old ‘Black Box’ for two years without basic facilities.

In October 2016, the stallholders submitted a tender to become the new operators of Rochdale Market, under ‘The New Rochdale Pioneers’, to provide a co-operative market that ‘the people of Rochdale can be proud of’. They were originally due to find out the result of the tender application by 23 December last year, but are still awaiting the final outcome.

Chairman of the New Rochdale Pioneers, Clifford Harker, said: “Star Procurement have told us there is at least another week to wait as they are looking closely at all tenders submitted. If it is that close, why has the Council not offered the contract to the New Rochdale Pioneers?

“We are local businesses and Rochdale people who have provided a service to the people of Rochdale for decades past. We are a not-for-profit organisation which has ticked every box asked of us through the tender process.”

Ian McGovern agreed: “Another week has gone by and still no news about our bid to be the market operator. 23 December was supposed to be the date. It’s more than a month later and it is still up in the air. Not sure what the hold up is, but I’m pretty sure we ticked all the right boxes.

“We've got over a thousand signatures backing our bid as it's all about empowering the people of Rochdale, where local people, business and charities will all benefit from our bid.

“Now I may be being a bit cynical here but something doesn't smell right to me. Does the Council not want us to have it? I'm now having doubts, otherwise why the delay?”

A council spokesperson said: “The closing date for the submission of bids has passed and an initial assessment of the submitted bids has been made. In order to ensure the evaluation is fair and consistent, we have sought clarification from all bidders on their responses.

“These clarification responses are currently being assessed. A decision will only be made once a full and proper evaluation of the submitted bids has been undertaken.”

It is expected the market will be operating from the new site at The Butts and the Santander building by Easter (April) this year. The former Santander Bank was purchased by RMBC in December 2016.

Star Procurement did not respond to a request for comment.