A brand new Rochdale market is one step closer, with a planning application for a prime town centre site set to be submitted in November 2016.
The proposals would see the market opening on the Butts, close to the award-winning River Roch re-opening project. The vacant Santander building on site also creates the opportunity for a new indoor food hall.

Rochdale has a strong market tradition, and in 1251 became one of the first towns in Lancashire to obtain a Market Charter.

The council took over the running of the market in 2013, to save it from closure when the Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre in which it was based was sold. It has been on its current site next to the town centre Metrolink stop in Smith Street since early 2015.

The Butts site can accommodate around 25 to 30 demountable market stalls, while the aim is for the Santander building to house welfare facilities for market traders and storage accommodation. The ground floor of the building could be used as a food court or market hall for fresh food retailers.  

As well as being next to the re-opened river, the Butts is in the town centre conservation area, much of which is currently being repaved in heritage-style York stone. Work has already been completed on The Walk, with Lower Yorkshire Street and Baillie Street set to be repaved by the end of 2016.

The planning application will be considered in the next few months, with the new market due to be operating from the Butts by Easter 2017.

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