Historic North West market to cease trading

Town Hall took decision

One of the North West’s oldest markets is to close – it has been confirmed.

Rochdale Market, which has been running for 768 years, is to close because it is no longer financially viable.

Rochdale Council has confirmed the outdoor market and indoor food hall is to cease trading on 14 October.

Rochdale Council took over the running of the market just over a year ago. However, the local authority said it has been losing up to £4,000 a month and on four days no stallholders have turned up.

Some traders have complained the new outdoor market is “not fit for purpose”.

A council spokesperson said: “Over the past year the number of traders regularly attending the market has halved and it is not financially viable.

“There have been four days over the past year, including 2 Saturdays, when no traders turned up, and on nine others, only one trader was present.

“Although we’ve been successful in attracting new businesses into vacant shops in the town centre (more than 20 have moved in since 2015), there has not been the same level of interest in the market.

“We began running the market after the Exchange Shopping Centre, where it was previously based, was sold. In 2017, as part of efforts to maintain and enhance it, an external operator was selected but the relationship ended after failing to live up to expectations.

“We took control of the market again, including the renovated indoor section, in October 2018 but the quality and number of traders has not improved. On 47 of the 151 markets days held since 1 October 2018 there have been fewer than five traders.

“When costs are deducted the market is currently losing between £3,000 and £4,000 a month.

“Efforts to maintain the market, including giving rent-free periods to traders and subsidising bills, have not been successful. Outdoor traders were also given the opportunity to run the outdoor market themselves but their proposals, which we considered carefully, were not viable.

“Our market manager will support any traders who would like to relocate to other markets in the borough or any other suitable location.”

The market, which obtained a charter in 1251 is located on the Butts and the Rochdale Market Foodhall in the former Santander building.

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