Page 25 - Market Times October 2024

FEATURE • WIDNES 25
Widnes Market in Cheshire is gearing up for celebrations to mark its 150th anniversary next year. Nicola Gould reports from a market that has survived and thrived by sticking to its traditional roots
Forget artisan stalls and fancy food courts. Widnes Market in Cheshire sells itself as a tradi- tional, no-frills market in a warm and welcoming modern setting.
The locals love its authenticity, and shoppers are travelling some distance from towns with their own smart, new markets built around food courts because they want to enjoy traditional market shopping with all the banter and bargains.
Ian Bashford, the market’s marketing officer for Halton Borough Council, said the five-day-a-week market was doing well, with around 90 per cent occupancy in the indoor market and up to 100 per cent on some market days in the adjoining outdoor market.
It was attracting around four
million shoppers a year before lockdown, which affected the market severely, with shopper numbers dropping to two-and- a-half million. Footfall is now increasing year on year at a rate of around 10 per cent a year, Ian says.
As the 150th anniversary approaches, traders and shoppers remain positive about their market, citing its light, modern atmosphere and the range, quality and value-for- money it offers in straitened times.
“Shoppers are voting with their feet,” Ian said. “We market ourselves as a traditional market and the range and quality is impressive. We are very proud of the food offer, everything from quality meat, fish, a deli and fruit and veg.”
There is a small fresh
Ian Bashford is Halton Borough Council's marketing officer for Widnes market
produce hall at the back of the market which leads on to the High Street, and the hot food offer is eclectic, with a choice of food from Asian to Italian, as well as more traditional market fare.
The market also offers plenty of old-fashioned lines, as well as services like key cutting and hairdressing.
Widnes is an industrial town between Manchester and Liverpool, and local people
t