Page 36 - Market Times April 2024

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FEATURE • RAWTENSTALL
town’s car parks and brings footfall of between 6,000 and 8,000 to the market.
“The idea is to be fully inclusive and appeal to everyone, from grannies and people who want to bring their dogs here, to mums and babies,” Lindsay said.
And plenty of social media and PR has added to the feeling of regeneration and community.
The transformation has been welcomed by the traders. Butcher Mark Smithies, who has been trading on the market for 10 years, said: “Jane Boys arrived and moved the market on and the new team has moved it on again. The fast food is definitely creating the vibe and people then visit the indoor market. On foodie Fridays it is absolutely jam-packed.”
Matt Cockshott, whose father sold fruit
experience,” Lindsay said. “And the artisan makers tend to have full-time jobs, so this gives them an opportunity to test the water to see if they have a viable business,” she added.
The outdoor cabins have been rejuvenated as street food outlets. Nine street food traders sell everything from Asian food to smashed burgers and loaded fries, loaded US-style bagels and Yorkshire pudding wraps.
The last Friday of the month has been designated Foodie Friday which is a massive crowd puller from 4pm to 9 pm, with a DJ and live music.
The full general market with more than 20 traders offers shoppers everything they could want, from meat, fish, fruit and veg, cooked meat and more, to non-food
staples like jewellery, antiques and fashion.
Lindsay said Play Market’s vision was not just about fantastic food and general goods. Community was key to everything they do, she said.
A new cafe hub and seating area has been created indoors, where people can enjoy delicious food from the outdoor cabins in the cosy, warmth of the indoor market.
There is a piano in the market entrance, a children’s play area inside and a screen where people can watch a film or children can enjoy cartoons.
There is a “knit and natter” group every Thursday and events have been introduced including a dog festival and a bikers show, an event which fills the
Lindsay Rawson is the market manager in Rawtenstall
Mark Smithies has been the market butcher for the past 10 years
Matt Cockshott recently moved to the inside market from outdoors
to complete the fresh food offer with his fruit and veg stall Trevor Best runs Horse and Cart Antiques on the market