Background

The Council has worked in partnership with the Mall to create a modern home for the town’s market on the ground floor of the new three storey shopping centre.

It will replace the former three day and six day market which dates back to the 1906s and is falling down.

The new market and shopping centre will provide a major shopping boost for the borough, making it the retail centre of Pennine Lancashire.

The new market will have entrances from Church Street, Ainsworth Street and from within the shopping centre itself.

Connected by escalators and two lifts to the department stores, there will be 127 stalls. Of these, there will be 61 food, 50 non-food, one café, nine café/catering stalls with shared seating and six mini shops.

Funding of £1.5 million has been allocated for the equipment fit-out and the traders will be able to choose their own purpose-built stalls, counter and display walls.

The relocation of the market will free up one of the largest development sites in the town centre which the Council is already working hard to maximise the potential of this site for a major new mixed development.