Ashton Market Square launches for Christmas
Ashton’s newly transformed market square will take centre stage on Saturday 14 November as it officially opens during one of the borough’s most magical events of the year.
Residents, visitors and shoppers are invited to celebrate the launch as part of the spectacular Tameside Northern Lights Winter Parade and Christmas festivities, marking a new chapter for the heart of the town and creating a vibrant setting for community events, family activities and seasonal highlights.
Ashton Market Square’s major transformation is progressing in phases, with the main phase – including the opening of ten new permanent kiosks and a versatile events space - set to be up and running as a welcoming and vibrant hub in the lead up to Christmas.
The contemporary kiosks offer an appealing line up of independent traders bringing together a mix of familiar faces from Ashton Market alongside new businesses, offering everything from street food and fresh produce to gifts and everyday services. While the flexible events space will offer traditional, general markets, speciality markets and an exciting programme of events.
The square’s launch will officially begin from 11am on 14 November with a fabulous Christmas Market, which will run for two weeks up to and including Saturday 28 November. The launch event on 14 November will also include a festive funfair and seasonal programme of music and live performances from the stage area.
Celebrations will continue on 14 November with the Tameside Northern Lights Winter Parade, which will start from Ashton Old Baths at 5pm and will arrive in Ashton Market Square from approximately 6pm for the Christmas lights switch-on and a firework finale.
As well as offering new trading space, the square has been redesigned to be more welcoming and easier to get around, with more seating, enhanced lighting, artwork, greenery, bins, more open space and increased capacity for events throughout the year. The aim is to create a destination where people want to spend time – not just shop – helping to support a busier and more vibrant town centre throughout the day and evening.
The project – which has taken on board feedback from businesses, residents and other stakeholders and has been funded by Government money - forms part of wider investment in Ashton town centre, including plans to enhance nearby shopping and leisure areas and strengthen the local economy.
Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Eleanor Wills said: "This is such an exciting time for Ashton. The transformation of Ashton Market Square is about much more than creating a new look. It's about creating a welcoming place that meets modern day shopping and leisure habits, where people can come together, support local businesses, enjoy events and spend time with family and friends in the heart of our town centre.
“I’m delighted to officially open the square as part of the Northern Lights Winter Parade and Christmas celebrations, giving residents and visitors the chance to experience everything this fantastic new community space has to offer. From the new independent traders and markets to year-round events and activities, the square will play an important role in bringing more people into Ashton, supporting the local economy and creating a vibrant town centre that everyone can be proud of.
“Importantly, this investment is also about the future. We're creating a long-term asset for Ashton that will serve our communities for generations to come, providing a modern, attractive space where people can connect, celebrate and make memories together for many years ahead."
The next phase of works, which will follow the market launch and lantern parade event, will include contractors coming back on site to complete paving between the canopy space and the market hall as well as final finishing touches to the canopy, installation of new benches and planting more trees. The new kiosks and market square will continue to be fully operational for this.
This second phase will also include the continuation of renovation works to Ashton Town Hall steps and the start of improvements to Fletcher Square, Market Street and Bow Street including new paving, lighting, planting and street furniture to create further welcoming public spaces for shoppers and visitors.
Residents, shoppers and visitors are reminded you can park for free for up to two hours in all Tameside Council car parks before 6pm Monday to Saturday. Just remember to display your free ticket in your car.
