Council announces Rawtenstall market partnership plans

Rossendale Council has announced plans for an exciting partnership to rejuvenate Rawtenstall market.

In papers published today, the Council has outlined plans which will see the owners of the very successful Clog Market take on the management of Rawtenstall Market.

Speaking about the announcement, Councillor Alyson Barnes, leader of the Council, said:

“We want to see all our markets be vibrant, colourful and bustling, venues that bring in local people as well as shoppers from far and wide.

“We have some excellent traders in our markets but clearly more needs to be done to achieve our ambitions.

“It will take time and it will need us to innovate and look at doing things differently.

“In terms of Rawtenstall Market, the Council ran a competitive tender exercise asking for expressions of interest to run the market and take it to a new level.

“While we had interest, it didn’t end with firm proposals. However, as part of that exercise with received a proposal from the owners of the successful Clog Market which interested us so we met with them to discuss.

“I am very pleased to say we have come to a partnership agreement which will see the Council continue to own the market but the day to day running being taken on by the Clog Market management.

“It will be a 12 month pilot and proposals include creation of a new events space, a diverse programme of events and occasionally opening Friday and Sunday to complement the traditional Thursday and Saturday opening days.

“We have had positive and constructive meetings with traders to outline the proposals.

“I believe this is exactly what Rawtenstall Market needs. We will rigorously monitor performance and review how things are going.”