Financial support axed for traders forced out after Bury’s indoor market closed

Financial support for some market traders forced to relocate after Bury’s indoor market suddenly closed is set to be axed. In October, 2023 the market was closed without delay due to the discovery of Reinforced Aerated Autoclaved Concrete (RAAC) in the roof structure which posed a safety risk.

Following the closure, 49 traders from 62 units who operated within the hall were either relocated, had their units reconfigured to continue operating, or arranged alternatives for their business. For many traders, space in the nearby Mill Gate shopping centre became a relocation opportunity.

Traders moving into the Mill Gate were told they would receive two weeks rent-free and then they would pay their rent based on their original unit. Bury Council offered to pay all utilities, service charges and business rates for traders occupying the Mill Gate with that support reviewed after a year.

Now the council is set to stop that support from March, 2025 having already spent more than £268,000 to subsidise traders. A report to to the council’s cabinet, who are set to decide on stopping the funding, said: “The level of support is unsustainable and is creating increased budget pressures on Bury Council.

“The traders were advised that the support would be revisited and reviewed in 12 months. “As traders were not relocated together, the date when the 12 months expires varies considerably. “It is proposed that traders operating within the Mill Gate be given notice that the support they are receiving ends in March 2025.

“This will allow traders time to either negotiate with the Mill Gate shopping centre for a formal lease or to consider alternatives, for example, relocation. “Although Bury Council is committed to Bury Market, continued support for a small number of relocated traders operating within the Mill Gate will create a considerable ongoing strain on council budgets.”

The council added that the financial support also ‘creates inequity for Mill Gate retailers’. The report states that the total cost of the emergency response to the closure of the indoor market hall is more than £950,000.

The report said that relocation support for Mill Gate traders to Bury open market was also considered, however occupancy within that market is at 100 per cent. Bury indoor market previously hosted a six-day-per-week market and functioned alongside the outdoor market (three days per week) and the meat and fish hall (six days per week).

The closed building, seen by many as a classic modernist structure featuring a gull-winged roof, is more than 50 years old. The report said: “The process to relocate the 49 traders who operated within the hall was started and all were relocated.

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“16 units reopened in their current perimeter locations of the indoor market hall. “Two units were able to open a week after the closure, as entrances to the market hall were reconfigured to allow for trading.

“Eight traders opted to operate in the open market and on pop-up stalls and seven traders were relocated to council owned property on Princess Parade. “These have now vacated to the open market or Mill Gate units ahead of the flexi-hall construction.

“The remaining traders were relocated to the Mill Gate shopping centre.” The conclusion of the report said that Bury Council ‘remains committed to Bury Market and has not taken this decision lightly’.

It added: “This is a decision taken in the context of the council’s limited funds and significant budget pressures from other service areas, particularly children’s and adults’ social care. “The cost of the RAAC emergency with the Indoor Market Hall, including the relocation of traders, has cost more than £952,000.

“The council is committing to maintain the current financial support package for a further six months, including over the Christmas period and throughout the slower trading period at the start of the year. “Planning to end the financial support in March 2025 allows six months for traders to consider their position and explore any alternatives should they choose to.”