AFTER 37 years serving customers in Ashton-under-Lyne, one familiar face will have the honour of officially opening the town’s revamped market square.
Alf Sargeant, of Alf’s Shoe Repairs and Keys, will cut the ribbon on the multi-million-pound redevelopment on Saturday, November 14.
It will mark a new chapter for one of Ashton’s best-known landmarks.
The long-standing trader will be among those celebrating the opening of the transformed square, which has undergone a major Government-funded makeover.
The launch will form part of a day of festive activities, with a Christmas Market, funfair, live entertainment and the Tameside Northern Lights Lantern Parade all taking place before the town’s Christmas lights are switched on.
‘A really positive time for Ashton’
Alf will also be returning to the market square as one of a number of established traders and new independent businesses moving into its contemporary kiosks.
The new units will offer a range of goods and services, from fresh produce and street food to gifts and everyday essentials.
Speaking ahead of the opening, Alf said: “This is a really positive time for Ashton and local traders. I’m excited to be back trading in the market square and to carry on serving customers, old and new. It’s the people that make this town and we can all now feel positive about its future.
“I also want to thank the markets team and engineers for supporting traders through the project.”
The redevelopment aims to give Ashton Market a new lease of life, creating a more accessible and flexible space for traders, shoppers and community events.
Alongside the return of a general market, the square will host regular events including the monthly Ashton Artisan Market, Super Saturday family activities and seasonal celebrations.
‘Something to take us into the future’
Tameside Council’s leader said it was fitting that established local traders were helping to mark the beginning of a new era.
Cllr Eleanor Wills commented: “This is an exciting, much-anticipated milestone for Ashton and it is wonderful and very fitting that our fantastic local traders – including Alf – are helping us to celebrate the heritage of our much loved market while opening the door to this flourishing new era for the town.
“We’ve built on the town’s strong market tradition while creating a flexible and welcoming space that works better for residents, businesses, visitors and shoppers today – bringing people into the town and giving them multiple reasons to want to visit and spend time here.
“This is something built to last and take us into the future with lots of opportunities for residents, visitors and businesses. Thank you to everyone who has worked with us to realise this vision and thank you to everyone who supports their local town centres.”
The opening celebrations will run from 11am to 8pm on Saturday, November 14, with residents and visitors invited to explore the new square and support its traders.
However, work around the market square will continue after the launch, with contractors returning to complete paving between the canopy and market hall, carry out final work to the canopy, install benches and plant additional trees.
Improvements to Ashton Town Hall steps will also continue, while work will begin on public spaces at Fletcher Square, Market Street and Bow Street.
These further improvements will include new paving, lighting, planting and street furniture, with the market square and kiosks remaining open throughout.