TRADERS have pledged to ‘keep calm and carry on’ after council bosses announced proposals for a ‘new future’ for Radcliffe Market.

Bury Council states that it wants to boost trade and encourage people to the town centre by changing the use of the market.

New plans could see the market open on more days and in the evenings and have more food stalls and drink on offer, along with entertainment.

But stallholders say they have been kept in the dark about the plans and vow to remain defiant and continue to trade as normal.

Ragen Ellaway, stallholder at Marvellous Melts, says that she only found out about the plans through social media as nobody from the council physically came to give the news.

She said: “Morally I am disgusted that those who have stood by the market through hard times have been bypassed and overlooked.

“To find out on social media that the building they had supported for many years is no longer going to accommodate them is absolutely disgraceful.

“No consideration has been given for the existing traders in the market or in the town centre.

“Whatever happens going forward I will keep calm, carry on and keep doing what I have been doing.”

Rick Jackson runs the Psychic Emporium stall and says that the fact that Bury Council have kept stallholders in the dark is the most frustrating thing.

He said: “They are taking people’s livelihoods away from them. There may not have been a cluster of footfall in recent months but lots of us have been making money recently.

“What is annoying is that we were not told about these new plans before.”

He added that he will not be leaving and will continue to trade.

“I have a contract here will not be leaving whatever happens whoever takes over because I feel we have not been fairly treated.

“If they go ahead with these plans they are talking about they will probably have to close the market for a while and fork out a lot more money to make the necessary renovations needed.”

Council bosses have invited anyone interested in the operation of the market to express their thoughts with informal discussions due to take place afterwards.

Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Radcliffe is changing, and so are markets, and we want Radcliffe Market Hall to change with it.

“Major developments have taken place, and more are planned, around the market hall and the town centre and work is well under way on a new Lidl supermarket, next to the market, which complements the new bus station.

“We are also seeking opportunities to redevelop vacant council-owned premises on Dale Street.

“We want to take advantage of these developments and see the market as crucial to the town’s ongoing regeneration.”

Brendan Farrington, who run his stall Rapid Repairs inside the market said that the proposals won’t affect his business.

“I have been here trading every week for 10 years and in that time we have had some bad trading conditions affected the market.

“I think that the proposal is a good one bearing in mind the job that the council has done here over the last year.

“Someone who actually might come in and take an interest in what is going on here would be better.

“The food idea is also a good one, but the only problem there are lots of people in Radcliffe who don’t have any disposable income so if they start selling lots of fancy, expensive products it could be a problem.

“With the new Lidl on its way they really need to wait to see what will be on sale there before they decide food to sell at the market.”

Last year, council bosses gave the struggling market 12 months to improve after watching it suffer a severe decline following a £1 million refurbishment.

Cllr Shori added: “The retail environment has changed out of all recognition in recent years. While there is still a place for traditional markets, so many of us now do much of our shopping online for home delivery.

“To make the most of what Radcliffe has to offer, we’re looking to see the market open on more days and in the evenings, and see expanding the food and drink offer as a vital element in making it a unique and popular attraction for the area.”

Bury Council has invited expressions of interest from individuals or organisations in the management and operation of Radcliffe Market.

For more details of the proposals, go to www.bury.gov.uk/radcliffemarket-eoi