Art put back into Eccles market

Community artists and a team of supporters are putting the ‘art’ back into Eccles market as part of £50,000 plans to revitalise the town centre.

Community arts worker Fay Flatt and photographer Tom Reed are working with traders and their customers to collect stories and photos of market life for use in a permanent display inside the building. Their work and ideas from traders will also be translated by Ordsall artist David Lowther into a giant mural inside the building on Southway.

The market facelift is the first project launched by the new Eccles Town Team, after Eccles was awarded £50,000 from Salford City Council and the government through the High Street Innovation Fund.

The team is made up of local traders, community representatives, councillors and city council staff and has been set up to promote Eccles and drive activities to boost the town. The Town Team will be launched during national Love Your Local Market Fortnight (15 – 29 May).

Councillor Lisa Stone, chair of the Town Team, said; “This is just the start of a series of exciting plans and projects to breathe new life into Eccles. We’re using local talent to revamp the market.

“Fifteen market stalls will be given bright, new, traditional-style green and white canopies and local seamstress Elizabeth Charnley, who runs Darn IT Alterations in Eccles, is making matching bunting to decorate the inside of the building. The interior will also be painted and have new signs designed by Eccles based company Scissor, Paper, Stone. It’s a great way of supporting local businesses.”

And to encourage more people to consider market trading, there will be a ‘market stall taster day’ on Eccles Day, Saturday 18 May with stalls available at a 50% discount on normal rates - just £7 for a full day - alongside the regular farmers market and craft market on that day.

City Mayor Ian Stewart said: “Eccles has a long and proud history as a market town. This is all about reminding people what a great shopping centre they have on their doorstep and encouraging people to shop local.”

Anyone interested in taking on a market stall should contact Eccles market team on 0161 793 3868 or e-mail: kevin.rutter@urbanvision.org.uk  by noon on Thursday 16 May. Restrictions on the type of goods to be sold will apply.