GREAT strides have been taken to transform an old market hall into a buzzing venue at the heart of the community.

Thousands of pounds have been spent on Radcliffe Market to make it a site fit for the 21st century.

Older generations will recollect the expansion of the market in August 1968 to begin trading on Saturdays.

The news was met with opposition from many shopkeepers in the town centre, who feared that the extra competition would seriously affect their takings and force the closure of some smaller businesses.

The present market hall was opened in 1937. The old market had been held outdoors on Fridays. Then came a proposal for the building of the Odeon Cinema in the town centre and the council decided to erect a new venue by the river.

The Odeon opened in August 1937, and the market hall at the end of the year. Tuesday markets were started when the hall opened.

Much has changed since then. Today, the Blackburn Street market is becoming a blend of both the traditional and trendy.

Under council ownership, the market hall was shut in April 2014 as part of an ambitious £1m project to give it a new lease of life.

The striking metalwork of the original roof was exposed, where previously it was hidden under a false ceiling.

Works were also carried out to install solar panels, a large picture window overlooking the River Irwell, new toilets and a large space for pop-up stalls.

The market was reopened in December 2014, in memory of well-known former Radcliffe councillor and Mayor of Bury, Barry Briggs, “who had a clear vision for a better Radcliffe.”

There were hopeful signs thanks to former managing director of Radcliffe Market and owner of Farrars Café & Tea Rooms, Jodie Bannister.

Miss Bannister, who died aged 59 in January this year following a battle with cancer, was a pioneer for change at the market, later launching the popular Friday Food Nights and Saturday Fine Food Market.

Cllr Rhyse Cathcart, who is one of the existing directors, said: "Jodie's work to develop the Friday Food Nights was a great idea and something new for Radcliffe that would offer a night time economy.

"Over the course of the year the Friday Food Nights gathered momentum. Like anything, it had its ups and downs but it sparked an interest in the community and brought more people into the town."

However, while the Friday Food Nights proved a success, there were very few of the 34 stall spaces occupied.

In 2016, council bosses gave the struggling market 12 months to improve after watching it suffer a severe decline following a £1 million refurbishment.

Around this time, Miss Bannister met with council officers to share her ideas for a community venture that would regenerate the market. She also connected with Ricky Davies, of Impact Management Solutions, who is now one on the board of directors.

In mid-2017, trade saw a slight increase in footfall, with less empty stalls at the market, but there were serious concerns over its future.

One of the major turning points came in March 2018, when a new management agreement was signed.

Cllr Cathcart said: "Miss Bannister, Mr Davies and myself were successful in our tender for a community asset transfer to become the market operator with a vision that local people could deliver where the council had failed."

Radcliffe Market Hall Community Benefit Society — a democratic members organisation with a board of directors — officially took over the running of the site in July 2018.

Commercial director Mr Davies previously said: "We want to trade in a different way. We are providing a different offer to what is available at large supermarkets, by connecting with local farmers and manufacturers to bring their goods to market. We celebrate local, ethical and sustainable."

The team was awarded a £14,000 grant from the Bright Ideas Fund to assist with ‘propriety’ works and setting up the community business.

An application to the Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation for a social value loan and grant was also successful.

Cllr Cathcart said: "This funding has enabled us to progress plans rapidly in order that we could install ventilation for hot food kitchens and a bar area."

A complete rebrand of the venue has been undertaken to complement the market makeover. A new website was launched earlier this year and the Radcliffe Market Facebook page is updated daily.

Farrar’s Café has extended its trading hours to open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am-3pm. A handmade, vintage and makers market also attracts dozens of shoppers.

Visitors can browse a whole programme of events. In November last year, a nostalgia event saw visitors commemorate the centenary since the end of the First World War with a vintage afternoon tea. Families are currently being invited through the doors for a special Mother's Day brunch on March 31.

The team has formed partnerships with The Met, Groundwork and Ambition for Ageing with the aim to deliver arts-based projects.

Cllr Cathcart said: "We are creating a destination where the people of Radcliffe can come and enjoy a mixture of retail and leisure opportunities.

"One of our key aims is to bring people together and foster greater community cohesion, civic pride and help for the town centre in which the people of Radcliffe can be at the forefront of its regeneration."

Further plans include recruiting new market traders, launching a market shop, introducing fine food, vintage and other speciality markets.

Visit www.radcliffe.market for more information.