Council to take over market on Monday 1 October

Rochdale Borough Council will take over running the new Riverbank market on Monday 1 October.

This follows the announcement that the Council had ended Quarterbridge’s involvement after the Essex-based specialist was not meeting expectations.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/122460/new-market-council-ends-quarterbridge-involvement-for-not-meeting-expectations

The services specialist was chosen as the market operator in February 2017 after a tendering process - a decision that was met with angry by existing market traders, who had also tendered.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107901/quarterbridge-new-rochdale-market-operator

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/110968/new-rochdale-pioneers-hand-over-petition-showing-support-for-cooperative-market

Damian Cooke, operations director of RDA, said: “We have worked with Quarterbridge for a number of months but were not willing to issue formal documents until we were confident that they could meet our high expectations for a good-quality, thriving new market which would play a central role in our newly-redeveloped town centre.

“We decided not to continue and remove the operating licence early this week out of concern for the traders when we became aware they were planning to suspend the market without any notice.

“We’re aware that the traders have been through a lot of changes in recent years and are keen to minimise any further disruption to them. The council will take control of the market from Monday (1 October), once the current operating licence held by Quarterbridge Market Asset Management (Rochdale) ltd expires.

“We have big plans for the market and are confident that we can attract high-quality businesses who want to be part of our newly-renovated market hall and fantastic outdoor space in the heart of Rochdale town centre.”

Malcolm Veigas, market operational director of Market Asset Management, said: “Having won the tender issued in the OJEU format for the operation of Rochdale Market, including indoor and outdoor elements, MAM (Rochdale) Ltd. has worked closely with Rochdale Development Agency since early 2017 developing a new and exciting market offer.

“We have provided a team of the UK’s finest and experienced experts in this specialist field and the result has been a long-time coming but breath-taking.

“Despite requests, we have not received final legal versions of the occupational documents for the indoor and outdoor markets associated with the tender.

“Nevertheless, the council asked us to operate the outdoor market from 18 August, with which we complied with a limited budget on the understanding the full raft of formal documentation would be imminently forthcoming.

“Unfortunately, formal agreements have not been forthcoming and after softly expanding the outdoor market for a few weeks without security of a formal agreement, on Monday 24 September, we informed RDA that we would temporarily withdraw services on Wednesday 26 September until all agreements are in place and we could launch both the indoor and outdoor markets simultaneously as originally planned.

“We issued a letter to all traders. We have been in regular daily contact with RDA and we did not receive any notification that our services were no longer required as reported yesterday.

“This is very surprising and disheartening for all and disappointing to hear the news via the press. We had also pre-let the entire indoor market building with wonderful food traders and caterers and these will also be anxious now as to the future.”

The letter distributed by Market Asset Management read: “We were delighted to have been awarded the market contract at the start of 2017 and I’m sure you’ll agree the environment and infrastructure within which we trade is spectacular.

“The outdoor market is enjoying weekly growth since mid-August and we look forward to the launch of the whole Riverbank Market service, once the food hall is open and ready for business.

“The Riverbank Food Hall is fully pre-let with great new businesses and subject to trader merchandising, ready to launch, which will further reinforce the outdoor market success.

“Unfortunately, owing to events beyond our control and notwithstanding our plans and expectations, we await final documented elements relating to the Riverbank Market and so it is with much regret, we will need to suspend the outdoor market operations as from close of business this evening.

“This is a decision we have not taken lightly, and we are very sorry for the inconvenience to you, your families and your customers, however we hope it will not be too long before matters are regularised and we launch the whole market service as originally planned.”

After close to four decades in the Exchange Shopping Centre, Rochdale Market was forced to move to the former 'Black Box' site in January 2015 – itself a temporary measure – where traders operated for two and a half years without basic facilities.

Work on opening the river at the time prevented the move of the market to the preferred location of The Butts, where the new Riverbank market opened for business on Saturday 23 August.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/1/business-news/121602/new-market-launch-goes-down-a-treat

Any traders or occupiers who have concerns, would like to know more about the market, or who are interested in opening a stall are asked to contact info@investinrochdale.co.uk or phone: 01706 927 000.