WORK on the multi-million pound project to transform the market square in Ashton-under-Lyne is underway.
Diggers have been in place to create new electricity diversions and supplies for when the new facilities – including kiosks under a canopy – are in place.
While the major work is going on, a temporary outdoor market will be set up on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Fletcher Square and Market Street.
The indoor market will be open as normal while a Sunday tabletop market will be relocated to Old Cross Street car park for 12-14 months from the end of August.
And leader of Tameside Council, Cllr Gerald Cooney, did not hold back in what he and the authority is looking for.
He also said issues around car parking, which have dominated talk among traders for some time, will also be looked at.
He said: “Our ambition is nothing less than turning it into a shining example of how markets can form the economic and social heartbeat of a modern town.
“It will encourage people, whether they’re from Tameside or further afield, to congregate and enjoy the new market square as a vibrant multi-use space.
“We will look at the parking issue while the work is going on.
“The successful launch of our transformation of the Market Square shows that even in this most difficult time, local companies are still capable pf being a force for positive change and economic growth.”
Almost £11 million of near £20 million secured from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund will be used on the project.
It will see the market hall remain untouched, with the triangular canopy to the height of the roof level erected, meaning its clock tower will still be visible.
Underneath that, a number of kiosks will house permanent stalls, with up to 44 ‘pop up’ facilities able to be put up and taken down on the day.
Contractors for the project have been brought on board by the council.
Whitecrate will manufacture the new kiosks, The Casey Group will construct the canopy and public space beneath it after landing the near £4.5 million contract.
High quality seating, green space, enhanced lighting and CCTV covering the entire area will also be introduced.
As well as the new market and canopy, public realm work around the area will make it more accessible, with the aim of making it more attractive and desirable.
Fletcher Square, Bow Street, Warrington Street, Market Street, Market Avenue and Wellington Road will all see surfacing, seating, landscaping and street furniture enhancements done, with the intention of encouraging people to dwell and spend time there.
Cllr Vimal Choksi, Tameside Council’s executive member for town centres and communities, added: “It will be fantastic to see work starting on site on this exciting transformation, but we are aware that it will cause some disruption, we will be doing everything possible to minimise the impact for visitors, shoppers, and traders while work takes place.
“We really want to support our local retailers and market traders and to encourage everyone to shop as usual.
“Ashton will remain open for business and there will be events and activities to bring in more footfall like Saturdays on the Square, which has free parking at Union Street car park and it is vital we continue to use the town centre as usual and keep shopping local to support our businesses community.”
Markets have been in decline for years the indoor at Ashton has plenty of empty stalls, if you cannot fill them why spend a fortune on the out side space throwing money away that could be used more effectively
They never learn my friend
Simon makes a valid point. I’ve seen some stalls vanish in the indoor market recently.
While it’s fantastic news that Ashton will be redeveloped, great news that you have acknowledged the issue of free parking and that you’re ensuring the outdoor market stays open during the building work, what will the price of rent be for potential tenants of the stalls? If you don’t get that bang on, you may as well build it out of chocolate for Prince Pondicherry.
Another problem – yep I foresee many – is the issue of how the internet has effected the High Street, as well as the recent introduction of AI into society. How will you include tech within the new development? Tech is what gets young people interested, and even older generations who were their at the beginning or who have embraced it later on in life.
What stalls would shoppers like to see open in Ashton? Would it be a good idea to open a fact-finding stall with this in mind? Let’s say, for example, you have a choice of opening a nail bar or a hairdressers, but there is a demand for a toy store, what stall would you open?
Additionally, opening such a feedback stall would create a more positive atmosphere for the future of Ashton while taking on board any negative comments, which is variable often needed for improvement.
I know not everyone is a City fan; life would be boring with only one team – we’d have nobody to play lol. My point is: most fans laughed at the possibility of us becoming a big club but look at what has been achieved over a short period of time. Most importantly, we have a youth setup that can rival anything world-wide.
Ashton should think big! It should ponder about a future where local people can become prosperous, despite our silver spoon less backgrounds.
It makes me sad to see young people getting on the wrong side of the law because of the place where they were born: nothing to do, no money and nowhere to go. Look around at the homeless people and those who are switching between the hell of mental health and the odd day in the sun, then ask yourself if you want that kind of future. Do you want to be in and out of prison? You combat this nonsense by building a better future for yourselves, but even then, there are no guarantees in life. Sometimes it’s through no fault of your own. It shouldn’t, however, stop you trying something positive instead of spice.
If someone would have told me this when I was younger, my life would be much different now.
I don’t see a skate park in the design. Some kid might want to be the next Tony Hawk. Then of course, it presents an opportunity for someone to open a skate board stall; market Red Bull; create a new urban clothing brand, designed and manufactured in Ashton ;and possibly create some local bands connected to the scene. Now how many potential new jobs do we have in Ashton?
With the amount of money you have to spend, you could create so many jobs. This is why people are sometimes critical of the council. We see what could be. Please don’t take it personal.
As usual the drunks ,the druggies ,uncontrollable youth and council will screw it all up YET AGAIN
There are no poor people in your pictures ,no thugs,drunks,druggies,there are only in coming pictures of people whom appear to be affluent business characters ,were are you going to put us all .
COMPLETE UTTER FOOLS
Carl makes an important point. Diversity means people from all walks of life, so there should be something in the design that includes the type of people he mentions. Diversity means nothing if you exclude sections of society.
As a comparison, Piccadilly gardens is full of crack heads and criminals because it’s the only place they have to socialise. So yep, think along those lines lol. I will start the ball rolling and suggest the name Crackship Enterprise or maybe the Spice Square. What do you think? Erm, on second thought, maybe Hashton square or Bud Central Boulevard.
The Casey group photo is short of a military parade, complete with missiles and a supreme leader – hopefully a sense of humour is still allowed. Dat ting is proper airbrushed.
Build a drop in homeless hub(Chill stop homeless hub) where they can chill, people can leave donations, the homeless can get housing advice and where drug addicts can get immediate help. I’m sure a local charity will leap at the opportunity. It’s either that or watch tramps urinate in public while eating a sarnie – it wasn’t a pleasant site.