Ashton Town Centre

We are working to improve Ashton Town Centre and make it a better place for everyone to shop, work, live and visit.

At the end of 2022 we carried out public consultation on the proposed plans using feedback from the earlier Love Ashton event held at Ashton Market Hall and asked for views from everyone from key stakeholders, Ashton market traders, Ashton Town Team, businesses, council officers, visitors and the local community. The information that went out for consultation can be viewed in the summary document here.

Following the consultation period, the proposed plans were approved by Tameside Council Executive Cabinet, in March 2023 and planning permission was granted by the Local Planning Authority in September 2023. The main works will start this Summer 2024 and continue until March 2025. Please see the map below showing where the work will take place.

You said, we did!

We’ve used local opinions and views to shape our design ideas for the first phase of works which centre on Ashton Market Square and Outdoor Market. Read the proposals Ashton Public Realm Strategy Phase 1 – Ashton Market Square

We are implemented using £10.8m of the £19.87m awarded by Government in October 2021 and form part of the wider Ashton Town Centre Public Realm Strategy.

The plans include replacing existing outdoor kiosk and stall structures with a large canopy to create a more inviting and adaptable space with re-orientated market units to meet the needs of modern market traders.

 

Work on Ashton Market Square is set to commence this summer, bringing changes to the town centre. 

Initial groundworks will start in the coming weeks, and we are committed to ensuring that the outdoor market continues to operate in the town centre during construction. 

The indoor market will remain open as normal throughout the works, and the outdoor market will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays in Fletcher Square, with the Sunday Tabletop Market relocating to Old Cross Street Car Park. However, the major construction work involved will mean that access around the town centre will change as works progress and things may need to move about. 

In preparation for the construction, contractors for the project have been brought on board, Whitecrate will manufacture the new kiosks, The Casey Group will construct the canopy and public space beneath it, and the Council’s Engineering team will continue the improvements on from the Wellington Road scheme to complete the public realm enhancements in the Market Square.

The comprehensive redevelopment will transform Market Square into a vibrant, multi-use space. Key design features include high-quality seating, attractive planting, new paving, enhanced lighting, CCTV for safety, and a large canopy to create a versatile civic space for markets, cultural events, and performances. The first stage of activity will be to ensure that the electricity diversions and new supplies are in place and the Council’s engineering team are on site carrying out this initial work. 

The new kiosks are under construction and will feature a variety of food and drink options, encouraging visitors to enjoy the square throughout the day and into the evening. The square will also include new green spaces and ample lighting, providing areas for people to spend time with family and friends and encourage new visitors to the town. 

To support market traders, a temporary market will be established in Fletcher Square and Market Street, incorporating some of the existing kiosks and flexible market infrastructure. Preparations are underway for the installation of the services like electricity and water for the temporary market which is expected to be operational from the end of August 2024 for 12 months and people are encouraged to continue to support the amazing local traders and businesses in Ashton.

The construction may cause some disruption, but we will be working closely with contractors and local businesses to minimise this as much as possible. Please see the map below showing where the work will take place.

More detail on the plans for the Market Square and how they will look and be implemented here. 

You can also download our brochure to find more about the plans underway to utilise the £20m funding and how it could benefit you or your business.

Read more about the work on the Town Hall and Former Transport Interchange here (link to https://www.tameside.gov.uk/AshtonLevellingUpFund)

Contact us

If you would like to be kept up to date with the latest information on our town centres, please sign up to our e-newsletter. This will ensure that you can stay up to date on the plans be the first to know of any further news and updates plans and development progress or email us at ashton.publicrealm@tameside.gov.uk.