‘While other markets are dying, Bury is still doing well... but it would be nice to see more investment’
TRADERS at one of England’s oldest markets say times are still tough after lockdown, but customers have flocked back – because Britons love “buying local”.
This week we launched our Save Our Markets campaign to boost Britain’s 1,200 street trade venues.
So we visited 584-year-old Bury Market, in Greater Manchester, and found its 350 stalls – which attract 150,000 customers weekly and 1,000 coach-loads each year – bright, busy and bustling.
Traders told us how, despite a recent crisis with decaying concrete at the indoor section of the market, customers have been rushing back of their wares since the pandemic.
They said “Britain’s Favourite Market 2022” boasts such a wide range of goods and foods with the personal touch that they can easily compete with online marketplaces.
Stephen McEnery, 58, owner of Café Loco Bar and Grill, has been on the market for three years and has seen “trade pick up”.
He said: “People of are being more careful with their money and coming to us for a coffee instead of high street chains, as we’re cheaper – but just as good. People want quality at a good price.
“Covid was a nightmare. Only food stalls could open at the beginning so everywhere else was deserted and only the die-hards came out to shop.That was hard for everyone.”
But he said the council could do more, adding: “Putting more signs on the main roads would help and more advertising for the stalls.
“Bury is one of the oldest markets in the world and the set-up seems to work really well.
“While other markets are dying, Bury is still doing well.
“But it would be nice to see more investment in the market.
“I don’t think the footfall is quite back to what it was and the rent increase doesn’t help.
“I need to sell around 180 coffees a day to pay the rent and the increase in minimum wage means we have to sell more before breaking even.”
Joanne Ward, 41, has worked at the bakery Harry Muffin for 31 years, producing pies, Chorley and Eccles cakes, scones and muffins.
She said: “It was my uncle who first owned it, then my mum took over in 1991. Since Covid, a lot more people are shopping with us. They find our goods much better value, locally sourced and delivered fresh daily.
“The market managers are good, organising coach trips to bring people here and Saturdays have got crazy busy now.
“The indoor market has gone, which doesn’t help. But we are also seeing new, younger customers coming to buy from us.
“They have seen our goods on social media...People now want to shop local and help the local economy.”
John Theaker, 55, owner of luggage, shopping and handbag stall Gracie Bags, has been on the market since 2007.
He told us: “Trade was slow after lockdown but last year was really positive. Our best year.
“Other towns’ markets are dying or have died, but because people like a traditional market, they have started to shop here.
“We can get up to 30 coaches a day coming here and because of all the different stalls, it is a full day out for visitors.”
John’s son Dan Theaker, 26, quit his job as a college lecturer to establish Bury Bags, inspired by his dad’s love for his business.
Dan said: “I really enjoy the hustle and bustle of the market and it is going really well.
“This market seems to be booming and I think people from Bury like a bargain and to shop local.”
Deborah Mullen, 59, has been on the market for 42 years and works for the world-famous Bury Black Pudding Company.
She told us: “Trade has been really good. January and February are usually really quiet but this year’s been better.
“We have a lot of regulars, especially the older generations, who enjoy shopping and a chat.
“Bury Market has a lot of variety which others don’t, and that appeals to many. I would like more radio advertisements to promote stalls
and coach trips. I think installing wifi in the market would be a big help...Since Covid, some people don’t want to use cash.
“More stalls now have card machines but we all use our own data for internet access, which doesn’t always work so the payments don’t always go through first time.”
Steve Plumber, 52, who works at Hooked fishmongers, was less optimistic, telling us trade is “OK but, of course, it could be better”, adding: “The weather has improved and we need the good weather to stay to bring people here.
“The closure of the indoor market hasn’t helped. I don’t think it is a busy as pre-Covid. I don’t think people have the same amount of money to spend with the cost of living and are being more careful.
“The cost of fish we buy is increasing and we have had to put our prices up so people aren’t spending as much.”
Stall owner Luke Billington, 28, who has worked on the market for 15 years, argued: “The council should listen to traders more to find out what we think would help make it more of a success.”
Last October some traders were left in limbo when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete – a structural problem that has also affected many schools – was found in the market hall, leading it to be closed for safety reasons.
Disruption
Dealing with the RAAC, and carrying out other essential repairs could cost at least £6million, a surveyors’ report warned, meaning the council is weighing up options and will report back later this year.
Asked about the hall, built in 1971, councillor Charlotte Morris said: “Closing it at short notice was the last thing anyone wanted to do, but it was necessary to protect traders and shoppers in case the roof collapsed.
“We appreciate that the closure has caused tremendous disruption for traders.We have done our absolute best to support them, such as finding them new premises, along with rent and utility-free periods.”
David Catterall, head of commercial services at Bury Council, added: “In order to ‘future-proof’ such a popular asset, we applied for and won £20million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to increase the event space, stalls and green areas, and build a new multi-purpose flexi-hall.”
But the crumbling hall is nowhere near as old as Bury Market itself, which dates back to the 1440s and Henry VI’s reign.
A Royal Charter was granted to local knight Sir Thomas Pilkington for a trading fair of livestock, farm produce, fish and woven goods.
In the 16th century, fish would have been laid out on the curved stone steps of the market cross, erected in 1559 – now the site of the town’s Robert Peel statue.
A much bigger Open Market was opened as the town grew in 1839 – and in 1971, after a fire destroyed the former market hall on Kay Gardens, it was moved to the current site.