Photographs showing the market hall when small traders had stalls on the ground floor have sparked fond memories
A 170-year old shopping complex in Greater Manchester has seen many changes over the years, but some wish they could go back to the way it used to be.
Bolton Market Hall – once the largest covered market in the country – dates back to 1855 and forms part of Bolton’s Market Place shopping complex. Many re-developments of the building have taken place over the years, most notably in 1988, when the newly refurbished hall was reopened as the Market Place Shopping Centre by Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2007, another major refurbishment saw the Victorian grade two-listed building close for a £30m redevelopment, transforming it into a three-level shopping mall with a glass-fronted extension.
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The plans saw many of the market hall traders face losing their livelihoods or uprooting to other venues. A petition was signed by more than 80,000 people to try keep the small traders but the plans to transform the shopping centre went ahead.
Speaking to the M.E.N. just before it closed for the 18-month refurbishment in 2007, stallholder and secretary of the Market Hall Traders’ Association, Peter Hardcastle, said: “The council are turning it into a shopping mall, bringing in big chain stores and making Bolton look exactly the same as every other town.
“The difference between a market and a high street store is the friendliness, the personal contact and the lack of pressure. As for me I am packing it in.
“The difference between a market and a high street store is the friendliness, the personal contact and the lack of pressure. As for me I am packing it in.
Bolton Council claimed the development would turn the town into a top shopping destination. Cllr Linda Thomas said in 2007: “From a nostalgic point of view it is a very sad time and it must be sad for the traders who have been working there for many years and may not be continuing trading in the town.”
She added: “It was a cross-party decision in the best interests of Bolton.”
Now, the Market Place Shopping complex is very much the epitome of a modern shopping centre. The redevelopment of the old market hall, which was once home to a range of independent traders and quirky shops, left many Boltonians feeling it was a step in the wrong direction as it was transformed into a mall with major brands, as well as a cinema, bars and restaurants.
Some people who grew up with the market hall still pine for it to return as it was in the ’80s and ’90s. Photographs showing the market hall in the 1990s have recently been posted to Bolton nostalgia groups on Facebook.
They show the shopping centre when it still had market stalls on the ground floor. On the posts, hundreds of people have taken to the comments share their memories.
On the incredibly popular I Belong To Bolton Facebook group, Lynn Gee said: “Loved shopping in there… everything you could want.”
Vivien Price agreed saying: “Those were the days, all you needed under one roof.”
Eve Black posted: “The market was a fabulous place to go, and always so busy!”
Marilyn Waldron said she remembered it well, adding: “You could buy anything from a safety pin to a leg of lamb and a China tea set to nylon stockings, nearly anything you needed.”
Does the old market hall awaken any memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Angela Thompson said she “Loved going to Bolton’s beautiful Market Hall back in those days.” Adding: “There was nothing like it. It was the best!”
Margaret Anderson posted: “Wonderful place to visit….such a pity that it was changed!” While Lesley Cooke said: “Wish it was like this now.”
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