Council urged to ‘keep the magic’ as Bury market modernised

As the shopping area with the third highest footfall in Greater Manchester many people would say Bury market doesn’t need a lot of changes.

An estimated 150,000 people visit the market weekly, with neighbouring town centre businesses seeing an estimated 40 per cent increase to their footfall on the full market days of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Only the Trafford centre and Manchester Arndale can boast higher numbers in the city region.

Its remarkable pulling power is illustrated by the 1,200 coaches which visited Bury Market last year, up 7pc on 2023.
And in the first six months of 2025 coach party numbers are up by a further 20pc.
But changes are on the way with the multi-million creation of a new flexi-hall well underway.

The triangular building to the west of the outdoor market will become a ‘multi-purpose space’, with a food hall and live performance space as well as rooms for community groups and local businesses.
Another aspect of the £33M regeneration of the market area are new roof canopies over the market, which will protect shoppers and traders from the worst of the weather.

The council said that the two new canopies over the open market are ahead of schedule, with the main structures and coverings completed, and progress being made on the electrical, drainage and facias.
It said ‘it is clear to see that these canopies will provide significant protection from the elements to the original stalls beneath’.
Work on the canopies is carried out on non-market days so trading is not affected.

When disembarking from their coaches, most of those visitors will see a giant steel frame emerging at the side of the current outdoor market.
The flexi-hall site has seen recent work to prepare the ground and utilities. The steel frame is almost complete, with timbers due to start later this month.
Behind the protection of hoardings adorned with the faces of market traders, this building work continues daily without affecting market trade. The flexi-hall will also host the market’s reception area.
Bury council is keen to stress that the work is being done with minimum disruption.
A spokesman, said: “The market has remained fully operational throughout the regeneration which
has been no mean feat, with markets management, traders and contractors working together to ensure that we have been able to promote business as usual.
“It was clear from the very beginning that the market had to continue to support its traders and visitors throughout the project, keeping those coach visitors coming, and providing the community hub for those who live locally and depend on it so much for their shopping needs and physical and mental wellbeing.
“We cannot under-estimate the social value that the market brings to our town.”
On a sunny Wednesday lunchtime in early August it is clear that the outdoor market retains its appeal.
The myriad aisles and open spaces are packed with visitors with a mix of out of towners and local shoppers doing
their weekly shopping. The school holidays mean there are plenty of families out and the dozens of cafes and food outlets all seem to be busy as people enjoy a spot of lunch.

Irene Stoneman is here to bag a few bargains with her daughter Jo Ogden.
Irene, 74, from South Molton in Devon, says she ‘never fails’ to visit the market when visited Jo, who lives in Whitefield.
She said: “It’s a shopping experience like things used. I insist we come every time I visit. “I’ve bought some clothes and you can still get a bargain.
“The new investment sounds good, this place needs to continue to thrive.

Jo, 52, said: “The investment needs to be done so the character and appeal of the market remains.”
Thomas McVicar, 76, who lives near Edinburgh had come on a coach to Bury.
He said: “I’m having a break in Blackpool and signed up to the trip as it picked up at my hotel. “There’s nothing like this near where I live and yes I’ve had a belting time.
“I’ve picked up a new cap and am going to explore a bit more.
“If they make changes and invest they’ve got to keep the magic of this place.”
One issue that still irks some shoppers is the continued closure of the indoor market hall.
It suddenly closed in October, 2023 after the council discovered unsafe reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in the roof. Traders were given just a few hours to vacate their stalls.

The future of the indoor market remains uncertain after a later report concluded it could cost £6m to have the roof replaced.
Christine and Malcolm Thew were visiting the town and live in Radcliffe. Christine said: “Me and many others miss the indoor hall, you could get everything there.
“I used to get fabric and thread for my sewing and use many of the stalls that were there. “I think the investment should be used to bring it back into use.”
One stallholder, who did not wish to be named, had a few gripes about the ongoing work.
He said: “They’ve closed off one of the ginnels which brought people in to create the new flexi-hall which restricts footfall to parts of the market.
“The new roof canopies too, to be honest with you I think they’ve made the place more dull. “Before the sun would get through better, it was brighter.”