Traders fear impact of temporary market move

Julia Whalley, who has short grey hair and dark-framed glasses, smiles as she poses for a photograph in front of her market stall. There are dozens of boxes of perfume and cosmetics neatly displayed on shelves behind her. The photograph was taken at Leigh Indoor Market.

Julia Whalley has been selling perfume and cosmetics in Leigh for 50 years

Richard Stead
BBC News, Manchester
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Traders have expressed concerns about how their businesses will cope during Leigh Indoor Market's temporary relocation to a car park.

The refurbishment of the existing market hall is due to start in 2027, when traders will move their stalls to the Doctor's Nook surface-level car park, opposite the town hall.

Wendy Shearer, who runs AB Pet Supplies, said: "It's too far from the main bus station for some people and I'm just dreading it really."

Wigan Council said: "We're investing a lot of money in Leigh town centre and we will consult with the market traders next year."

Photograph of Wendy Shearer, who runs the AB Pet Supplies store at Leigh Indoor Market. Wendy, who has long brown hair and is wearing a leaf-patterned black and white top, is pictured outside her stall.

Wendy Shearer runs AB Pet Supplies at Leigh Indoor Market

Leigh Indoor Market's renovation will take place after more than £11m was secured from the previous government's Levelling Up Fund.

Traders have said the existing roof leaks and buckets have to be used to collect dripping rainwater.

The repairs are expected to take up to a year, during which time the market will move to the Doctor's Nook car park.

Michelle Farrimond, who runs the Forget Me Not florists, said: "We speak to our customers every day and they are telling us they won't bother walking across the town.

"It'll make a lot of difference to our customers if we're not in the centre of the town."

Photograph of the Doctors Nook car park in Leigh town centre. Leigh town hall is in the background.

Leigh Market is to move onto the Doctors Nook car park in 2027

Julia Whalley, 76, has been selling perfume and cosmetics in Leigh for 50 years.

"It's just so quiet over there," she said of the proposed temporary market location. "There's no car parking facilities and no bus station."

The Levelling Up Fund grant will also be spent on the civic square in front of the town hall.

New seating will be installed while planters will also be added.

Additionally, the pavements on King Street will be widened and grants will also be available to improve shopfronts on streets like Bradshawgate.

Photograph of Michelle Farrimond, who runs the Forget Me Nots flower stall at Leigh Indoor Market. Michelle, with blonde tied back hair, dark-framed glasses and wearing a black-and-white striped t-shirt, is pictured inside her stall.

Michelle Farrimond runs the Forget Me Not flower stall

David Molyneux, leader of Wigan Council, said: "You're going to see a total redevelopment of the market and engagement with the traders will take place next year.

"We want to make sure that Leigh Indoor Market Hall is a building which is fit for the future and certainly the traders will be playing a big part in that."

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