Market Hall: 10 crucial questions

Banners and protest posters have been put up around the hall as stall-holders fear for their futures. Plans have been submitted to Bolton Council by the Agora Shopping Centres Fund to transform the Market Hall into a centre of modern and designer shops, installing another floor which would reduce the number of stalls in the hall.

Local government correspondent Gareth Tidman put 10 questions to three of the scheme's major players: Market Place manager, Rod Neasham, Bolton Metro's assistant director of corporate property, Stuart Knight, and council leader, Cllr Barbara Ronson.

1. Why do changes need to be made to the Market Hall?

Mr Neasham: "There have been no changes to the council-leased Market Hall since the late 1980s when the neighbouring Market Place shopping centre was built.

"The proposals will restore both the Victorian landmark to its former glory and create a space for retailers who want to be in Bolton but cannot find suitable units."

2. What are its failings at the moment?

Mr Neasham: "In a recent survey, more than half of the shoppers interviewed in the Market Place thought it was of a below average standard and it needed restoration and redevelopment work.

"Over the last 10 years there has also been a drop in trading within the Market Hall and the number of visitors has not matched national and regional trends.

"Unlike shops in the Market Place, there has been little support from Market Hall traders for Sunday and late night trading. This has had the effect of damaging additional trading hours and frustrated shoppers."

3. What would you say to people who claim the plans will result in another bland shopping mall and a loss of a piece of Bolton's history?

Mr Neasham: "This investment will see this landmark building restored to its former glory.

"The architects will go to great lengths to ensure the Market Hall retains its unique history while providing a retail offering to suit the needs of today's shopper in the town centre.

"The proposed redevelopment plans are not for a bland shopping mall but a shopping environment that highlights the history and architectural features of this Grade II listed building. We are concentrating our efforts to ensure that local traditions and smaller businesses are incorporated into the new scheme."

4. Can all of the stall-holders be accommodated in the new Market Hall? If not, how many will there be room for and what will happen to the rest if them?

Mr Neasham: "Some people have claimed that there will only be room for 12 stall-holders in the new development but this is not true -- we anticipate it to be quite a few more than this. It will depend on the discussions with individual traders.

"We will be doing our very best to accommodate as many traders as possible who require space within the proposed new development.

"Should we be unable to satisfy their individual requirements, we hope that by working with the council's business unit, we will be able to offer suitable alternatives at other locations within the town centre."

5. If traders are told to leave, will they receive compensation, how much will they get and who will pay it?

Mr Neasham: "We understand that most tenants have leases that entitle them to statutory compensation, linked to the rateable value of each individual market stall. It is planned that Agora, the owner's of the Market Place and the developer behind the new plans, will meet this obligation."

6. What commitments can you make to stall-holders who fear that, if they remain in the revamped Market Place, their rents will soar?

Mr Neasham: "A key part of one-to-one consultations with tenants is to discuss the opportunities within the proposed scheme and the level of rent that will be charged. The rents payable will be consistent with those in the Market Place according to the quality and size of the unit occupied."

7. What is your reaction to traders' estimates that up to 400 jobs could be lost?

Mr Neasham: "We disagree strongly with this figure because we feel job losses will be minimal. We are doing our best to ensure continuity of trading for Market Hall tenants."

Mr Knight: "There will be more jobs in the Market Place in the future because of an increase in retail space of around 100,000 sq ft."

8. Are you concerned your plans could see the end of businesses that have operated in the Market Place for decades? Have any big names stores expressed an interest in moving in?

Cllr Ronson said: "We recognise the value of many of the long established businesses within the Market Hall and the goodwill they have built up over the years. It is in the interest of the scheme that as many of these businesses as possible are retained."

Mr Neasham: "We expect that a number of big name stores will show an interest in the scheme but discussions with them will not be taking place until the negotiations with existing Market Hall tenants are completed."

9. With a multi-million pound retail scheme planned for Central Street and improvements being carried out at Crompton Place, is a renovated Market Hall a priority for Bolton? What impact will it have on the town centre?

Cllr Ronson: "Studies show there is demand for many new retailers who are currently not represented in Bolton and generally there is a requirement for larger sized units that are not available elsewhere in the town centre.'

10. Are you shocked that 30,000 Market Hall customers have signed the traders' petition opposing the plans? What would you say to them?

Mr Neasham: "We appreciate that those people who have signed the petition are passionate about the future of the Market Hall.

"It is unfortunate that the petition has been signed using information that is not totally correct and it is now necessary to make sure people are aware of the benefits that the redevelopment work will bring to the town centre.

"The council is not selling the Market Hall and it will not be exclusive only to national retailers."