FOODIES can look forward to sampling a new-look market in Ramsbottom.

New operators have taken over the market in Market Place after it was put out to tender earlier this year.

Terri Fletcher and her husband Gregg, chairman of Ramsbottom Business Group, took over the monthly farmers and artisan market earlier this month and have now rebranded it.

The couple, who live in Stanford Hall Crescent, Ramsbottom, with their two daughters, have renamed the market 'Ramsbottom Food and Craft Market', and have set about bringing in even more local traders.

Terri said: “The market manager resigned before the contract was up and we were temporarily asked to look after it until the end of the contract.

“The market was then put back out to tender and we thought why not go for it.

“We were delighted when we were awarded the contract and want to prove to more people in Ramsbottom that markets aren’t expensive.

“I was shocked to find cheaper meat and fish on the market than in supermarkets.

“We want to make sure the market continues to offer good honest food, which has been locally produced and is affordable.

“Hopefully we can start to bring in visitors from outside of Ramsbottom by making the market something worth travelling for.”

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for resource and regulation, said: “Ramsbottom has built up an enviable reputation as a tourist hot-spot, and one of the reasons for this has been the high number of quality, independent and specialist retail outlets.

“We hope that our latest moves to boost the local markets in Ramsbottom will cement the town’s reputation even further as a top destination for food lovers and tourists in general.”

The market is bustling with stalls filled with locally sourced food and handmade crafts, offering hand cut meats, artisan breads, local cheeses, cakes, pies, fresh fruit and vegetables. People can also browse hot food such as street food and crepes.

It runs every second Sunday of each month from 9.30am to 2.30pm at Market Place and Ramsbottom Civic Hall.

To book a stall: contact Gregg on 07891 861281.