Questions and Answers

After the fire at Ashton Market Hall on Tuesday, 26 May, Cllr Kieran Quinn, Cabinet Deputy for Economic Services and Ian Kelly, Markets Manager took part in a website interview.

Find out more in the video clips

Below are some of the concerns raised:

Q: Market traders are obviously concerned about their future. Can you say when the outdoor market is likely to reopen?

A: The first priority is to ensure the safety of traders and shoppers. Part of the Saturday market will be trading as usual. The market ground will be reopened once reports on the state of the market hall have been completed.

Q. Is there any indication as to when that will be?

A. Our engineers have been working since the fire to assess the level of damage to the building. At the moment they can only carry out inspections from the outside as the building is still not safe to enter.

Q. What problems have engineers faced in making their assessments?

A. Certain sections of the walls have been damaged by the fire and will need to be shored up to prevent their possible collapse. The debris inside the building is still extremely hot and has prevented engineers from making a thorough internal inspection.

We realise that traders are anxious for news and we will be keeping them updated regularly via the website, electronic bulletin boards and display boards around the market ground on the progress we are making.

Q. What’s the future for those traders who were based in the market hall?

A. We have identified a possible site in the town centre on which a temporary indoor market may be erected. We now have to survey the site to assess its suitability. It’s too early to say at this point when and if a temporary market can operate from this site but we will be working as quickly as possible to provide the traders with alternative premises from which to operate.

Q. Is the farmers’ market due to take place this Sunday likely to go ahead?

A. Yes. We will hold it at the top end of the market ground near to the Arcades shopping centre and away from the cordoned off area around the market hall. The Black Knight Pageant will also go ahead as planned.

Q. What is the likely to be the long-term future for the market hall?

A. The building is a grade II listed building and, as such, it’s important to the heritage of Tameside. We are hoping that the building can be saved and will continue to be the lifeblood of Ashton Town Centre. However, we must be realistic and do what is best for the traders and the people who visit the market.

Q. Do you have any indication as to the timescales involved in providing an alternative site for the indoor market traders?

A. Early indications are that setting up an alternative set for a temporary market hall could take up to eight weeks. We need a site that is not only a suitable size but has access to the public services and other amenities.

Q. What has been done to help the market traders?

A. We have established a phone network with traders so that they can be kept informed of our progress to date. We have also written to them expressing our concerns and outlining what we are planning to do.

Q. How big a blow is this for Ashton?

A. The market plays a vital role in the economic engine that is Ashton and so it is in the interests of the town to establish an alternative market site as soon as possible. The market attracts thousands of visitors every week to Ashton and we are sure its reputation as a vital, vibrant shopping centre will continue.