A STRUGGLING town centre market is to be open for an extra day a week in a bid to increase trade.
Westhoughton Market will open on Tuesdays from December 9.
The extension in opening hours comes after a series of improvements to make the market more appealing for shoppers and traders.
Among the changes are new wooden stalls, layout, lighting and fresh paint.
Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton Council’s executive member for environmental services, said: “I’m pleased we have been able to arrange for Tuesday opening at Westhoughton Market in time for the busiest period in the retail calendar.
“The market offers an economic alternative for shoppers and the new improvements and extra trading will hopefully help attract more shoppers and give a boost the local town centre economy.”
Cath Higham, who has a card stall on the market and represents the traders, said they cautiously welcomed the news.
She said: “This has got to be good news for us, the market and the town centre. We welcome the new opening hours but we will be requesting a trial period to allow people to get used to it.
“There are enough people in the town to support the market and the town centre — but they don’t. They go to other shopping centres instead. Unless they use the market, they will lose it.”
The Mayor of Westhoughton, Cllr David Chadwick, has worked with the traders to get the market improved.
He said: “I am very pleased we are now in a position to say there are new modern stalls and I’m glad they are able to open on another day.
“Hopefully the improvements and additional opening hours will mean the stallholders get more trade.
“It is important that we have a viable market and town centre.”
The market will continue to open on Thursdays and Saturdays as normal. It will be open on Tuesday, December 23, and Wednesday, December 24 in lieu of Thursday, December 25, which is Christmas Day.
Traders are running a special promotion in the run up to Christmas — anyone who spends £2 will be given a raffle ticket for a Christmas hamper.
lucy.ewing@theboltonnews.co.uk
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