Rossendale Markets hit the airwaves

Date published: 06 July 2010

Rossendale Markets are being advertised on local radio for the first time as part of Rossendale Council’s ongoing strategy to revitalise the markets in Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall.

The advert, which features a female voice-over and upbeat music highlights the hidden treasures and award winning products to be found at Rosendale’s Markets, urging listeners to ‘take a fresh look at the markets’.

It also reminds people that Bacup Market in Union Street is open Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9am - 4pm with a flea market on Fridays, Haslingden Market on Blackburn Road is open Tuesdays & Fridays from 9am - 4pm and Rawtenstall Market on Newchurch Road is open Thursdays & Saturdays from 9am - 4pm

The Revitalising Rossendale Markets strategy has already proved to be a success with a reduction in empty stalls and an increase in the number of casual traders on the borough’s markets.

Several market traders have also reported an increase in the number of people visiting the markets in Bacup, Haslingden and Rawtenstall. This has come despite the economic slow-down and the continued decline of traditional markets in other parts of the country.

The strategy, which was agreed by the Council during 2009, involved making changes to some of the markets’ policies to increase competition and a high profile marketing and promotional campaign to attract new traders and visitors.

Financial incentives were provided for new traders and existing stall holders were offered discounts on additional stalls. A Stallholder of the Month scheme was also established to recognise traders who are positive ambassadors for the markets. Winners so far include:

Tom Gruska – award winning cooked meats & cheese - Bacup
Peter Duxbury – butcher – Bacup
Cyril Chadfield – pet foods & accessories – Haslingden
Tony Shaw – cooked meats and cheese – Haslingden and Rawtenstall
John Monk – fishmonger – Haslingden, Bacup & Rawtenstall
Eugene Bolam – printed t-shirts, alternative clothing – Rawtenstall

Recent changes at the market include several new traders who are complementing the excellent products of existing traders.

Bacup Market now has plants, cosmetics, fragrances and accessories, while cupcakes, new clothing lines, international produce and fabrics have been added at Rawtenstall Market.

Rawtenstall Market café is under new management providing great food and drinks to refresh shoppers and a new Thai Takeaway provides tasty food for those in a hurry.Haslingden Market continues to provide a variety of fresh produce, cooked meats, cheese,pet foods & accessories, cards and sweets.

Across the three Markets there’s a variety of produce (including award winning cooked meats), jewellery, flowers, haberdashery, furniture, clothing alterations, gifts, groceries and specialist services to name but a few.

Markets Manager, Catherine Price said:  “I am delighted with the advert and hope it will encourage more people from the borough to take a fresh look at the markets. When Rossendale Radio started to broadcast we decided it would be a great opportunity to promote local markets. We are very grateful for the support we have had from Rossendale Radio in putting the advert together.

Rossendale Council Leader, Cllr. Tony Swain, said: "We have three great markets in the borough and now more people are using them. Getting more traders has been good for the markets and the people who visit them.”