Traders looking to take control of the market

Rochdale Market

Market traders currently selling on Rochdale Market are hoping to approach the council about taking control and running the market.

Councillor Farooq Ahmed, who has helped the traders address a number of issues on the market since it moved, said: “We think it would work if the traders were in control of the market, like in Heywood. I think it is a really good idea and I am going to speak with the traders to move this idea forward.”

Traders on Heywood Market came together in late 2001 and formed MAGIC, a community trust to run the market following Rochdale Council’s decision to close the market. In December 2002, the group were granted approval to take over the management of the market.

Councillor Ahmed is now hoping to achieve the same with Rochdale Market. He added: “It has worked well in Heywood and I think it could really work in Rochdale as well.”

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Council said: “The council has not yet been formally approached by the traders, but if they would like to put a proposal together, we would be happy to discuss it with them.”