FIXED stalls are likely to be removed from Ashton-under-Lyne’s Market Hall – and some of the entrances closed off.
The latest plans for the building have been revealed in an update of Tameside Council’s use of money it has received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
And the meeting of the authority’s executive cabinet on Wednesday, August 21, is likely to approve the use of £250,000 of the £3,812,000 grant to make alterations to its layout, with the intention of making it more ‘flexible.’
That includes attracting more small businesses to use it, as well as student and community groups.
Documents state: “Ashton Market Hall is set to be re-purposed using £250,000 of UKSPF funding in line with the ambition of the emerging public realm strategy for the town centre and the Levelling Up Fund ambitions for Market Square.
“Works will include the reduction of entry points into Market Hall as well as the removal of fixed stalls within the Hall to provide additional flexible space – communal seating, planters, network points and power for small business pods, monthly pop-up club, student zone, community group hub.”
The entire UKSPF grant must be spent by March 31, 2025 and has so far been used for things like Stalybridge’s Street Fest, work on fountains at Ashton’s St Petersfield and work to improve shop frontages on high streets in Tameside’s towns.
Now the executive cabinet is being asked to agree to the £250,000 worth of work to the Market Hall.
Documents add: “A recommendation is made that the council enters into the standard Tameside additional services contract with the inspiredspaces Tameside Limited (Local Enterprise Partnership) for the works to Ashton Market Hall to a value of £250,000.
“As this project relate to repairs and improvements to an existing building and not a design and build project, the council propose to enter into the standard Tameside additional services contract with the Inspiredspaces Tameside Limited (LEP).”
Is this the same council that modernised stalybridge market and now it hasn’t got one. is this also the same council that altered Ashton outdoor market and are now having to do it again .
Leave Things Alone You Ruined Ashton Outdoor Market And The Bus Station We Lost All The Named Shops We Have More Charity Shops Than Anything Else We Are At A Loss Because Nobody Listens To Us
If its not broke don’t fix it, this council couldn’t run a bath let alone a market, leave well alone you morons.
Why couldnt they just do a tidy up and refresh then lower the rent and more traders will come on the market bringing in more shoppers and more revenue . Its a disgrace now its gettering like a ghost town most days x
Ashton is an absolute disgrace no descent shops outrageous parking charges. It used to be the best place to shop with a fantastic market. People used to come from all over to visit. Now it’s a disgrace nothing there and the council keeps wasting money on things that aren’t needed eg another bus station.
I agree with most of what you are saying, but the bus station has nothing to do with the council. It is Transport for Greater Manchester that have spent the money on the new bus station. It is an important link for people wanting to escape Ashton and go somewhere better.
I used to enjoy going to Ashton on a daily basis. Only go now when I need things from the deli or card stalls
Droylsden market became non existent when it was revamped. I can see Ashton going the same way
I’ve lived in Ashton for 30 years and used to enjoy the bustling outdoor and indoor market and now I rarely go into the centre, if I do it’s the Indoor market and just walk right past the outdoor one. Yes we have excellent transport links but get them for people to come into the town, not go elsewhere.
Leave it alone, If I go in the market I go to buy the things I need, I don’t want to look at planters, I don’t want to engage with community groups, I don’t want to sit in a community space, I just want to do my shopping.
You’ve ruined the outside market, for heavens sake leave the indoor market alone
Why do the council want to destroy Ashton? Leave the market hall alone you morons!
Reduced entrances/exits needs to be looked into carefully for safety evacuation procedures for both customers and stall holders. Access for emergency services too.
Ashton is unrecognisable – what was once a thriving market town with great community spirit is a vile, dirty place, attractive only to people who like to disrupt and antagonise others. It is neither welcoming nor friendly and sadly, lost to us.
Yet again this absurd Labour Council poking their unintelligent nose into something that is not required ,its supposed to be a market – look it up ,its not for bonkers ideas its for buying and selling .when are they going to take notice of the people that matter – the residents the council supposed to represent them but that disappeared years ago ,time to get rid.
All above comments I agree with. Free parking for shopping will help also more disabled parking near to market. Not all disabled people have mobility scooter’s.
Am I being over simple here, they’re saying they want to improve the market by getting rid of the entrances and the stalls? Isn’t that a bit like improving a fireplace by bricking it up and removing the coal? It’s without logic.
Tameside council you should all hang your heads in shame, you have done your best to rip the heart out of Ashton town center and this new plan will be the final act. RIP Ashton market.
Everybody is always blaming the council for being inept, it’s been going on for years, so why do they keep voting them in. It’s like turkeys voting for Christmas
They are like Lemmings keep jumping off the cliff
Keep voting Labour.
Please think again. Why not just reduce the rents so the traders can make a living. Don’t block up any doors, as a disabled person I need good access.
You could put a red rose on a pig and get voted in in ashton
Let’s hope there’s a few bob left to fix the clock in the picture above, not to mention the four-sided one near the taxi rank.
Everything about Ashton town centre shouts “neglect” and has done for years.
So much could have been done at relatively low cost and incrementally over the years but hasn’t been. Meanwhile those who sing from Tameside council’s song sheet don’t say a dickie bird but look the other way.
are the stallholders being compensated for losing space are they being given a new stall if losing one
Can anyone tell me where the stallholders in the indoor market are supposed to go, businesses that have been here for years. I think it’s disgraceful. I enjoy shopping in the indoor market but if it goes Ashton will be ruined completely. I want to come and shop, not look at a load of planters ! Surely it’s a health and safety issue to block up doors in a building of this size.
Whose moronic idea was this ?
Why have another revamp anyway, free parking, reduced the rents, more community policing, stop wasting money over and over again, so much space and so little ideas of how to improve the environment, how about more bins for rubbish, on the spot fines for litter, everywhere cans, plastic bottles and the grids around haven’t been cleaned for years, get your priorities right first..
These Aston market hall alone tanemside council has done enough damage to Ashton and other areas it’s not what people ask for or want
The people have spoken. Let’s hope Tameside Council is listening and abandons it’s ridiculous plans. Let’s make ASHTON MARKET GREAT AGAIN !!
A town of charity shops and drug and drink users. The market ground is a disgrace as for the indoor market the traders are trying their hardest to survive and in my opinion give excellent service. It seems the stalls that close, close due to high rent and not loss of customers.
Leave it alone lower the rents inside and out.
Free or cheaper parking and stop the drug users sitting o empty stall spaced out or drinking strong cider at 10 am in the morning
I’d like to know what has happened to the flea market on a Tuesday. No update anywhere and the Sunday info is near impossible to find. Absolute joke for people wanting to use the market and for the poor traders.