Council talking to traders about possible market locations

Talks have begun with traders at Glossop Market about possible options for the market to continue to operating when the hall temporarily closes on 30 April for essential structural works.

In September last year High Peak Borough Council announced plans to replace the roof and the electrical and fire safety systems as the next phase of its commitment to restoring the town's heritage halls.

Since then work has been taking place to develop the specification for the works, which also include replacing the roof at the Municipal Buildings, and to investigate the options for temporary accommodation to enable the market to continue to trade.

Council leaders met with the traders last night (Thursday 30 January) to share their research and begin the conversation about possible alternative trading options.

Options under consideration included a temporary structure on the car park, individual vacant shops and other buildings in the town, and hire or purchase of retail cabins.

Following a full assessment and costing of all the options, building a temporary structure on the car park at Municipal Buildings has been ruled out due to weight restrictions on the culvert that runs below the car park.

There is a retail unit which is currently available at Wrens Nest Retail Park and the Council is now seeking feedback from traders as to whether they feel this is a suitable venue before speaking to the owner of the building.

Council Leader, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: "We are committed to creating an environment where our towns and high streets can thrive and the significant investment we are making in Glossop's halls is a key catalyst for that.

"The temporary closure of the Market Hall is unavoidable but a great deal of work has been done to assess and evaluate the options available in the town for alternative arrangements.

"We've shared this information with the traders, and started discussions with them about the options and also to hear from them if they have any other suggestions, before reporting this back to the Council."

The Council had been working on the assumption that the outdoor market would not be affected by the work but as the specification has been developed expert, technical advice is that this area will be required for the site compound to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles and space for the scaffold required for the job.

To enable outdoor traders to continue to operate, the Council is offering to buy cabins for their use to be located on the car park side of the toilet block and will be discussing this with the traders individually.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: "We have made firm commitments about the town's market and it has always been our intention to try and keep the traders in business in Glossop whilst the work is carried out - and that includes the outdoor traders.

"We have a solution which we have presented to the outdoor traders. We will continue our discussions with them, and the indoor traders, to agree whether, and how, we now progress these proposals.

"This is a major investment project and really is a case of the Council putting its money where its mouth is. Whilst we fully understand the local concerns it is causing in the shorter term, this process will secure the market's future as a market and help us keep Glossop town centre busy and bustling with people.

"In the meantime, we as Councillors and our officers at the Council will continue to be available to work with and support traders and residents."