Middleton market now run by Rochdale Council

Middleton market is now being run by Rochdale Borough Council, as of 1 November.

The market had previously been run by Middleton Market Company, which had given notices of redundancy to staff on 28 October with a proposed last day of trading of 31 October.

The operating company had notified the council on 25 October of its intention to close the market; however, as the correspondence’s recipient was on leave, this was not picked up immediately.

After being contacted by local residents and traders about the future of the market, Middleton councillors, including the leader of the council, decided that the best option to secure its future would be for the council to take over running it.

The offer to take over the running of the market was relayed to the operating company on 31 October and came into effect on Tuesday 1 November, meaning there were no trading days lost.

The decision means that the market will remain open with the same trading days, no members of market staff have lost their jobs and the traders can continue serving the local Middleton community as they have done for many years.

 

 

Council leader Neil Emmott said: “The market in Middleton has been serving local residents for generations and is a much-loved and important part of the town centre shopping experience.

“I am pleased that we have been able to step in and secure its future following a period of uncertainty and I urge everyone in Middleton to support the market and make it a success.”

In a statement, the Middleton Market Company said: “An offer of help was made to take over the employment of the market staff so that their jobs would be secured, and the market could continue to operate.

“The company operating the market accepted this help, and along with allowing use of its market stalls and equipment they cooperated to allow the staff to be transferred to the council via a TUPE arrangement.”

Middleton Market Company adds that it first approached the council for help in February 2020 and in March 2021, whilst further information and updates about its financial position were given to the council in July 2022.

The statement continued: “We are very pleased that the market will continue to operate, even if it is no longer under our control, and that the future employment of the market team is now secure.

“In the eyes of many nothing will appear to have happened, but behind the scenes many changes have occurred. The good news is that Middleton Market will continue to open on a regular basis every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, and this has always been our primary desire, and preferred outcome.

“We wish you all well, please continue to support the traders and the staff team.”

Middleton market will continue to open on a regular basis every Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.