Ashton-under-Lyne Market Square is due for major redevelopment in the next few years. This is the latest news from Tameside MBC.
PLANS to transform Ashton’s market square into a modern and vibrant area have been given the go ahead by Tameside Council.
The redevelopment – which follows extensive consultation with traders, shoppers and residents – will see the introduction of new stalls and kiosks, high quality landscaping and trees, performance and seating areas, as well as new street furniture and lighting.
Not only will this project provide a new, modern market for traders and shoppers but will also complement the ambitious multi-million pound Vision Tameside masterplan, which will see a major influx of students and teaching staff to the town centre at the end of 2015.
Trader Kim Wright, from Mr Spuds and the children’s rides, said: “We are very excited about the plans. Throughout our 20-plus years of trading on Ashton Market it has always been a great place to shop.
“It is the heart of the town and the redevelopment it will give it a huge boost. We are really looking forward to moving into our new kiosk.”
Malcolm Marsden, who sells bedding, added: “As someone whose family have been trading here since the 1950s, I am pleased that Tameside Council has approved plans for the redevelopment.
“I am looking forward to a bright future and many more years trading on Ashton Market”.
This dramatic increase in the number of people working and studying in the heart of Ashton will provide a major boost to the market, shops and retailers, and will help to attract new investment and businesses to the town and the wider Tameside area.
Despite Ashton having one of the busiest town centres in Greater Manchester, it is important that the market square is developed and modernised to make sure it meets everybody’s needs.
Recent reports have highlighted that Ashton is under threat in terms of online retailing and changing consumer habits, so it is essential investment takes place to ensure it can continue to compete with neighbouring towns, and securing its position as one of the busiest and most popular markets in the North West.
The redevelopment plans are about than the way the square looks. Taking on board feedback from the Ashton Market consultation, the markets team is developing a range of initiatives to help attract new traders. The aim is to ensure there is a greater choice of goods on offer which will appeal to more shoppers.
Cllr Bill Fairfoull, chair of Ashton Town Team, said: “Ashton Market Square holds a special place in the hearts of the public and traders alike. Both the indoor and outdoor markets offer great choice, high quality and value for money, but we are also looking to improve the area for the future while ensuring we retain its charm and appeal.
“The plans have been developed following extensive consultation to ensure the space is attractive yet functional and provides an appealing and inviting place to shop, socialise and do business.”
Work will start early in the new year and be complete before Christmas, 2015. It will be done in phases to ensure the market remains open for business.
further financial backing through the Greater Manchester Growth Deal. The Growth Deal is worth almost £7m towards the College’s three-phase development plan. The funding supports the development of the Advanced Skills Centre in Ashton Town Centre, in partnership with Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, and phase 3, the redevelopment of the Beaufort Road campus. It will provide funding for specialist advanced equipment for the new Advanced Engineering Centre which completes in September 2015.
Jo (my wife) and I follow the Northumbrian office when we pray together in a morning. The reflections that are provided for August focus on Iona. This was Friday’ 22nd August’s reflection:
What might be the ordinary thing be that God is calling you, or us, to do? What might turn out to be our ‘Iona’? What might be the place where the ordinary people that we are, see God providing for us and for our community?
It has been so difficult, hearing about the difficulties that Yasidis and Christians are facing in Iraq at the moment – the deaths of so many under persecution. Churches around the world are uniting in prayer for peace and for restoration, deeply concerned for those families affected by persecution. It also seems as though the Christian faith is in retreat, no longer present in cities controlled by IS (Islamic State).
I have been wondering this week whether this experience is in fact similar to that of many different peoples, Christian or not, over the centuries. Hearing Fiona Macleod’s words left me thinking of Europe at the end of the Roman Era. As Roman civilisation was pushed out of the countries of Northern Europe including England, the Christian faith also retreated. The land was taken by groups of people, probably our forebears, whose faith was pagan. In our islands, Christianity retreated to the fringes of Wales and Ireland; and during the Dark Ages, Christian faith was kept alive by small communities around the Western Coast.
A special ‘Field of Poppies’ will go on display in Ashton this weekend.
There is also a further opportunity to add more poppies to the “Field” if any person would like to add a poppy in remembrance of someone they know who fell. Refreshments will be available throughout the viewing period.
“Pink Baby Bonny wears a nappy and frilly bonnet. She is always crawling into mischief! Boofuls is soft-hearted and cries a lot, even when he is happy! Bumper is orange, wears a bum-bag, and bumps into things! Bubbles has her hair in a ponytail and is yellow. Bigheart is grey and always puts his friends first. Brilliant is the red leader of the gang.”
Today and tomorrow many churches are marking the 100th anniversary of the start of the first World War. We will be doing so in Ashton-under-Lyne. Not celebrating war but recognizing the drastic nature of what happened 100 years ago and cont
Roger Farnworth 