The New Ashton Market

Ashton's famous and historic markets are the key to the success of the town centre. Over the years they have become a major attraction, bringing thousands of people to the town centre to visit and shop.

The fire which devastated the Victorian Listed Market Hall building 4 years ago, has given us a major opportunity to revitalise and improve this part of town, rather than just rebuild the market hall.

 Such a major refurbishment will be with us for decades to come - so we needed to get the design right.

The initial concept for the market area was developed by architects Patel Taylor. Subsequently, architects Taylor Young were appointed to develop this concept into a detailed scheme. Their drawings are shown here.

The Concepts

The Market Hall

Tameside Council is committed to protecting and enhancing our heritage with the advice of English Heritage. The shell of the building is virtually intact and repairable so the concept uses this historic frame but we obviously have to rebuild the stalls inside.

There will be stalls for each and every market trader who wants to return to the Market Hall.

The interior design has been completed and traders have been informed of the location and size of their stalls in the refurbished Market Hall.

The front of the Market Hall - one of its main architectural features - will be enhanced.

Tameside Council supports the principles of environmental sustainability. These principles are described in Tameside's Sustainability Guide. We have made the designs for the markets sustainable so that they will have a minimal impact on the environment. This has been achieved by factors such as the choice of materials and the use of recycled products.

Civic Square

The expanded Civic Square will provide an ideal opportunity for outdoor events and fun activities, to complement existing attractions and shops.

In the meantime, we will continue to support the Market Hall and Outdoor Market traders to help them maximise their business and maintain Ashton as one of the busiest and most popular town centres in Greater Manchester.

Site Plan

Ashton's historic grid pattern of streets gives a real identity to the town. The established network of streets, spaces and scale of buildings contribute to making a successful place. The town centre clusters around the Civic Square and it is the vitality of the Indoor and Outdoor Markets which gives Ashton distinction and special character.

The streets around the edges of the square provide a strong axis across the town.

Our designs aim to restore the square to an important civic space with strong edges, to provide a better setting for the Market Hall and the Outdoor Market.