Stay of execution plea for doomed market

Rochdale’s doomed 768-year-old market should be given a stay of execution to allow traders to come up with their own plan for running it, the borough’s Conservative leader has said.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley says the Conservative group intends to table a motion at the next full council meeting calling for the closure to be revoked – and put on hold for at least six months.

Last week the Labour-run authority called time on the town centre market, saying that low-trader turnout and lack of revenue meant it was no longer viable.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/130325/traders%E2%80%99-anger-as-council-sounds-death-knell-for-centuries-old-market

Both the outdoor and indoor markets – located on The Butts – are due to shut down in mid-October.

Traders had previously put together a bid to run the market as a co-operative, but bosses said it was not a sustainable plan.

Councillor Dearnley is calling for stallholders to be given a chance to capitalise on the regeneration of the town centre – including the new Riverside Shopping Centre scheduled to open next Easter.

He said: “I feel at a time like this, when we’ve got a new shopping centre coming on board in the spring, we should give these people an opportunity to try and manage the market themselves as there’s a great opportunity going forward.

“I think it’s horrendous that after 768 years trading, they close it on a decision not even taken democratically by the council, so I hope consideration will be given to it.”

Councillor Dearnley says the Conservative group will move for the closure to be put on hold at the next full council meeting ‘unless an agreement is reached beforehand’.

He says there are ‘various options’ to be explored in relation to the future of the market before councillors should consider closing it for good.

Fellow Wardle and West Littleborough ward councillors Rina Paolucci and John Taylor have also expressed their disappointment over the market's handling.

Councillor Paolucci said: "I would like it putting on record how devastating the news of the closure of our historic market is for the town.

"I blame the decision makers in the council for this. There has been a total disrespect for loyal traders and complete mismanagement of the market, since it moved out of the Exchange."

Councillor Taylor said: "I am dismayed at the very poor decision to close our market after some 768 years of trading.

"This decision really does beg the questions of why have the market traders been treated so shoddily over recent years and why oh why has it been left to wither and die without any meaningful intervention.

"I wonder just what message this decision sends to other existing and potential retailers – it certainly won’t be an encouraging one. Our market should reflect the heartbeat of the town centre and I sincerely hope that without one it doesn’t end up in coronary care.

"I want our town to be a thriving hub of buoyant activity with vibrant daytime and nighttime economies. There is a place for a traditional market within that vision. I am not convinced sufficient effort, determination, enthusiasm and drive have been put into saving this historical retail outlet.

"Over recent years I have seen real improvements with the opening of the river coupled with the construction of state of the art buildings all of which are serviced by improved transport links. Unfortunately, the removal of the market from our market town is a retrograde step and one that should be revisited as a matter of some urgency before all those years of successful trading are confined to the history books."

Councillor Dearnley's proposal was given a cautious welcome by Councillor Andy Kelly, leader of Rochdale’s Liberal Democrat group – but he felt it did not go far enough.

“It doesn’t take away the fact there’s no electricity, hot water or toilet facilities. There still have to be other issues addressed with the market as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

“I would be happy to support (the motion) if in those six months we are looking to move to a new, more permanent site and not some temporary stay of execution.”

Councillor John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, said the council was ‘open to all ideas’ – but pointed out traders were given a chance to come up with a business plan earlier in the year which was not deemed viable.

And he questioned why Councillor Dearnley was tabling a motion given he is a director of Rochdale Development Agency – which has run the market in conjunction with the council since last September.

“If he is so concerned why not raise it with the chief executive of RDA, why is he showboating?” said Councillor Blundell.

The next full meeting of Rochdale council takes place on Wednesday 16 October at 6pm.

Nick Statham, Local Democracy Reporter

Additional reporting: Rochdale Online