Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Just thought I would acknowledge found that very funny. :rofl38:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Well, he was definitely in St Anne's Square in Manchester earlier today.....maybe making cheese is more lucrative than nursing...definitely less stressful!

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The Cheese Stall in the Market Hall are already selling his Cheese. I tried his Tasty Lancs (Mouth Almighty) last week, but it didn't have enough of a bite for me. Grandma Singleton's is a much better Tasty Lancs Cheese!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment - did YOU go into town today
 

A man was telling me today that he went to trader X on Thursday to buy some produce . This is a trader who is busy on normal market days .

Asked how things had gone on Wednesday , the trader replied that there were four customers all day for his produce .

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment - did YOU go into town today
 

So some good came out of it! Four customers were spared a trip to the market on Thursday!:confused:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Lots of pensioners(like me) do go out every day.......but we don't spend something every day.......there is only so much money available and you have to make it go round.........so while the footfall(who counts this anyway?) may rise, it doesn't necessarily mean that the folk walking through the market hall will spend anything.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

What have they done to it???? I thought when i popped in the other week.

They really have ripped out the heart of it havent they

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

do you not think it is unfair that you are saying nasty things about people on here. the people that are saying it, your not in primary school!
if you have these problems tell them! dont write it all over the internet!
and the labour councillors on here that are saying nasty things, your not making people want to vote for you more, you are showing them what nasty people you are!
if you have a problem go to the council! not on the internet!

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

This is a forum for debating local (or national) issues. We discuss just about anything.

To answer your question, no I don't think its unfair in this case.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The decision to start the three month 'trial', taken by H.B.C., forcing the established downstairs traders to open six days per week, has already been forced through.

The market traders, and their supporters, who fear this will be the begining of the end for the Market Hall, have used the local press to voice their opposition.

Accy Web is just another medium for people to voice their opinion.

Care to give examples, were members of this forum have been 'nasty...about people'?

We've had Conservative councillors write on here, buy they usually disappear sharpish, after making a show of themselves.

;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Last week, I was taught in primary school, that the contraction of 'you are' is written 'you're', not 'your'.

Miss gave me a star, in the test, afterwards.

:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Normally I couldn't give two hoots about spelling mistakes or grammar, as I make plenty myself.

It just riles me that if you're going to criticise others as nasty, and childish, you shouldn't be nasty, or make childish mistakes yourself.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

this is one of your nasty remarks.
sorry i made a spelling mistake, i havent had enough practice obviously but i felt i needed to voice this opinion.
the people that you comment have family and friends who dont want to be reading these sort of things!

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

there are some quite nasty comments about people on here.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

There is a method of reporting any comment you seen unfit ;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

We write about the things we don't like on here because we know that a certain member of the council will read it here......and may take notice of the ground swell of opinion.....then again maybe not.
As Neil has commented this forum is a perfectly acceptable way to have discussions about what is happening in our area...... a bit like writing to the local paper except we know it will definitely be published,not edited, or taken out of context.

Being able to say what we think is what makes Accyweb interesting......if you joined only for 'niceness'......then you are going to be disappointed.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Were any of them about you?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I've noticed that you have whole 2 posts to your name, I use Accrington Web every day, but when I first came on I said very little and got the hang of just what goes on, might be an idea if you were to do the same, there is always the alternative, don't read the thread, Accy Web is about opinions, some people do go OTT with criticisms, but if they go to far I think you will find the mods will have a word and in fact delete anything offencive

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Good grief if you think that's a nasty remark, its obvious Accy Web ain't the place for you:rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Obviously one man's meat is another man's poisoned cheese.

It was posted that she was presented with a book, by Mr. Silly, the celebrity chef.

Hence the Shakespearean pound of flesh comment.

It was a stab at humour, but whoosh, nevermind.

If I found something to be truly nasty I just wouldn't read it.

I guess others are firmly in the Mary Whitehouse camp.

Sit through hours of 'smut', before working themselves into a state of outrage, and then feeling the need to tell others about the nasty filth they've just sat through.

As for Labour councillors who post on Accy Web, I might not agree with them, but I admire their bottle for engaging with residents on here.

A bigger political turn off for me personally, is yet one more party sheep, blinded to reality, because of their unthinking support.

YouTube - BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Anymore actual examples?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Sak, it would be good if you could make a post introducing yourself.

As for the people who have been maligned by what you consider to be 'nasty' comments...they have an equal right to come on and defend their family.
And as has been previously noted, there is a report button for posts that you feel contravene the rules...and the mods will deal with these posts as they feel is appropriate.

I ask myself if we really need you to be an arbiter of standards on here?
I think the answer would be in the negative.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Bit soon for Christmas G. Baa Humbug:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I'd sooner be hung for a sheep than a goose.

;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Can we keep it on topic please and make any suggestions to members by private message please.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I sometimes wish we had the market and market hall of 25 years ago when it was really thriving. You could go down and both had plenty of variety to choose from. Then came progress starting with the Arndale when we lost a nice one level carpark. Then came the new set up which brought down the old market Isolating the market hall in a way. The few that remained ended up on Broadway further denting the shopping experience. Asda came along people went there. The market hall has tried to keep its customers but many went out of town as it was easier. Now in what I see as a desperate last stand they have done it up. Alas this could be too little too late. The place is on its knees and 6 day trading will not help it. The stall holders in there will have greater overheads with the same or more likely fewer customers. I hate to say this but I think we will lose the market hall soon as well as what is left of the market.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I dont think we'll lose the Market Hall, I actually really like it. I love being able to see the beautiful architecture. (and i've talked to lots of people who agree) It just needs lots more stalls! (state the obvious)

I would also really like to see some of those barrow type stalls filled with goodies in that open space in the middle for christmas. Or maybe roasted chestnuts etc. If anybody knows anyone who does that sort of thing, perhaps they would let them know. I'm sure the council would let them rent a space & i think it would be popular.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Oh i'm sure the Council would be only too happy to rent a space out, however an incoming trader would have to sell an awful lot of chestnuts just to cover the rent!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Here we go, looks like he is trying to drum up bussiness all over the place!!! :rolleyes:
Hope he doesnt wave his knife about in Town Hall like he is doing in the first picture to get people to buy his cheese!!! :eek:


Coronation Street's Martin Platt aka Sean Wilson opens his own cheese stall on Manchester market | Mail Online

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

They have really pushed the boat today. 3 council workers stood at the side of the market giving out free recycled shopping bags. I can see people coming back to accrington week after week in their droves for that one.

In the meantime the rubbish was blowing round their ankles. :rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

well that cheese fella didn't seem to do much this afternoon when i was in having a brew at Frankie's, he was wondering back and forth on his mobile, one or two people went over to him but they only wanted his autograph, don't think he'll be wanting to come back to Accy with his cheese anytime soon

oh and that bloke who sits there playing the piano/organ thingy is paid £250 a day

it was still dead in there

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Went in around 11am and though there were a few people about, they weren't(or didn't seem to be) parting with any money.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I would not get out of bed for less :rolleyes::D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Didn't know you could play the Organ or Piano Neil:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I wonder if the tax payer is funding Knitty Nora's three month residency in the Market Hall, at the same rate?

Forget knit one, purl one.

Knit one, and quickly run and bank one.

So creative.

So artistic.

Such good value for money.

Such a good replacement for the market stalls that have recently disappeared.

'Art in the community'.

Such a complete, and utter load of tosh.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Does Less know?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Did he play "Candle in the Wind?" :)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Should this not be in the humour thread;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Just giving info...one of the Market office staff records this each evening around 5pm. Each entrance has an electronic counter and the reading is taken each day. Totally meaningless as regards money being spent as you say.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

:D:D good un lol

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I thought it might be something like that Bonnyboy.......and totally useless for the purpose of assessing the profitability of the place as you say.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

So to cheat the figures you just need someone to walk in and out the door many times :rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

On a wage equivalent to one of the minor celebrities no doubt.
:o

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

You wouldn't even need to go in.

You could stand outside, flapping your arms about, to set off the automatic doors.

You could even train a (big) pigeon to do it.

:rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Don't give um ideas Neil they install revolving doors:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I decided I would reserve judgement until I had seen the completion. If it is now considered complete then I am gobsmacked.
Last Friday I was in Doncaster Market - great, a real market as I remember them, the same at Bury today, and they are able to boast that they are the undisputed Best Market in the country, and the Market hall is open 6 days a week.
On Saturday I was in Accrington Market - enough said.
One can only assume that the powers that be, who were responsible for the "refurbishment", have never had the common sense to go and look at successful market operations, let alone discussed the subject.
Yes. there should be a commemorative plaque - Name & Shame

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The official tally of accidents is one.

It has been questioned that eight or nine claims have been filed although this was officially denied, which means I'm inclined to believe it even more.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

But did you like the crocheted art works?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Must have been looking the other way, think there was a guitar player but thought he was a busker:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Well at least the Market Hall will have cleaner toilets soon, if anybody uses them. The attendants from the Peel St toilets will be resident there. God help anybody who wants to use Peel St from then onwards, it's bad enough at times when they are manned with various dropouts and druggies enroute from Abbey St to the Market Hall.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The Market Hall flooring is certainly more uncomfortable for wheelchair users, not as bad as cobbles, but certainly worse to wheel on than previously. I think perhaps we can see why an alternative flooring was laid over them now...it was safer, more user friendly & easier to clean!

Incidently i popped into the Market Hall this Weds, i'd forgot there was another "Celebrity" in residence that day, until i spotted a "queue" of around 5 people waiting to have either a photo or book signed by Kenny Baker. It was about 11am when i was in, and the place was very quiet!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Who's Kenny Baker? :confused:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

R2D2 :)

I was at Len's today and they shut yesterday. Said it wasn't worth the running costs after the previous Wednesdays efforts. They didn't pull the wool over my eyes though, I knew it had been packed because a councillor said so :)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Cheers, Dave. R2D2 and crocheting, eh?...bet that had 'em flocking in. :rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Pretty sure crotcheting isn't on Wednesdays, some people have a choice about when they turn up :rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

We're erecting a boxing ring next Wednesday for entertainment purposes apparently ;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

In a word "Yes" I commando crawl in an out the doors tho in an attempt to rectify any wrong doings ;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

This one just won't lie, will it? Front page of the Lancashire Telegraph today.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Regarding the flooring, I must admit to being quite keen on going back to Victorian roots although the doorways are a complete shambles. I understand that the remaining glass panels in the floor are having to be specially made as the moulds don't exist anymore but it should look quite good when completed.

As for these 'celebrities' trying to prove that Wednesdays work, admit defeat, just admit defeat.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

At least we now know where the £8k came from.

How else could we have spent that money to better promote the town/market?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Yes, thank God we don't pay any taxes to central government....

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I went to sort a pc out on Wednesday on the way back i though i would call in the market to get some Bacon it was about 2pm the market by all intent and purpose was closed only 2 stalls open so no bacon.
all the outside shuttered cabins where closed and the outside market was like a Thursday a flea market what stall where open
so why promote a market that's closed ?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Zilli money: Hyndburn council's £8,000 bill for celebrity chef (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

In principle i would agree with keeping as much of the Victorian Structure inplace as possible, but not when it impinges on the comfort & safety of others. Reverting back to the original flooring is mainly for visual effect...lets face it...you can see more of it now will all the open space, but in Victorian times not as many disabled people would have been using the Market Hall, so i think things need looking at in that light today. The idea should be to make shopping as enjoyable as possible, and after a while who spends much time looking at the flooring...other than those for whom it creates a problem! In the big scheme of things, its not the greatest problem with the Market Hall, but its obviously not been considered properly or if it has, it was decided aesthetic's over function!

As for the Celebrities, this has been a ludicrous idea, which has more to do with trying to save the face of certain Councillors during the "trial" period, than it has in trying to stimulate long term interest in the Market Hall!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

£8,030 would have been a tremendous start to organising some sort of one-day festival in and around the Market Hall if it 'had' to be spent on promotion. Community groups do this sort of thing every year at a fraction of the cost and still manage to turn a profit.

Without wanting to go all League of Gentlemen, how about local events featuring local people?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Relocation fees to move Maundy Grange to an out of town industrial estate and court fees to make the town centre an alchohol free zone :)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Perhaps the powers that be think a local chef would be all thumbs & thumbs due to inbreeding?
:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

i'd like to see actual proof of where the money came from, i wouldn't believe a word Britcliffe says

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Somehow I don't think that ANY government would give a council ringfenced money to "employ a questionably famous chef to work for 2hrs and 15 minutes and pay him £8k to do it" It just doesn't happen like that. I, personally, have tried to work with the portfolio holder but they just don't want to listen. IF THE STALLHOLDERS THOUGHT THEY WOULD MAKE MONEY THEY'D BE CLAMBERING TO OPEN 6 DAYS. Listen to people who know for gods sake. I've been in the Market hall on the 3 Wednesdays since it opened, Aldo Zilli drew a fair few people in BUT not £8k worth of trade. Sean Wilson drew in hardly anyone and Kenny Baker was frankly embarrassing, with 6 main stalls closed because it's just not economically viable to open. Labour Councillors WANT the Market Hall to work, we've done a lot of work and we are desperately trying to help.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

It's reported in this weekend's Observer as a glowing success, and Cllr. Britcliffe heaped praise on Cllr. Haworth.

I suppose it deprends on what paper you buy.

Zilli Money.

Great headline in the Telegraph, though.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

There are none so blind as those who will not see :rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Who's next week's 'celebrity' guest?

Metal Micky?

K9?

Freda the Blue Peter tortoise?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The Observer gets worse each week .

I'm not being morbid , but I only get it for the obituary page .

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Keep an eye out for the Market Hall.

;)

Late commercial concern of this parish.

R.I.P.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

R2D2, Who? Crocheting, not my thing but thought "Market Halls" were built for shopping:confused: Would be great to maybe have a poll to see how many members actually shop in or around the market area:)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I know who I see actualy shopping in the town, besides your good self.

I also know who's regularly seen doing a once a week shop in their car, at the supermarket.

:rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Point taken G but would maybe be a good idea to get a cross section. Would be nice to know just how many "families" actually go into town and how many just use supermarkets or internet shopping???;) I know my shopping bill is minimal compared to many on here but most of my shopping is done in/around the local market. Was just wondering how my shopping habits compared to our other members;)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Just wondered if a lot of shoppers walk into a shop/market and walk around looking at the floor...surely not....£8030 could buy quite a lot of asphalt...

It's alright English Heritage wanting things preserved, I'm all in favour, but to what extent...

When it was original covered in the 50's ( for the coronation I think) I suspect it was because of at least three reasons.

1) It looked a mess (maybe most of the doorway flags where damaged hence there being concrete there now)
2) Impossible to keep clean.
3) and most importantly, it was hazardous...

They say history repeats itself.......

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

What are your opinions on what should and should not be done to make sure the market hall survives and indeed thrives?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I wonder if the Queen appreciated the new floor in Accy Market Hall, in her coronation year?

:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Listening to people who have had 40 years experience of being self-employed would be a fine start.

You don't start up your own business to be told how to run it and what is being asked of them simply isn't financially viable and never will be. I don't think six-day trading would have been viable for market traders in the 1980s, let alone now.

Drop the rents to a reasonable price and fill the stalls, don't squeeze every last penny out of the successes and have vast gaps for crocheting and c-list celebrities.

Invest money into the wider town centre to make Accrington more attractive as a whole. The Market Hall is not the primary reason for everybody coming to town, it is simply something that many people wander through out of interest so don't treat it as being the glittering jewel in the crown and heap tremendous pressure on the traders by telling them that it is their fault if Wednesday trading fails.

The financial setup of managing the markets is also a complete shambles, crying out for some of Cameron's cuts along with other areas of Peter's council.

There is nothing particularly difficult about putting the Market Hall right but there are still blinkered Tory zealots who are insistent that Labour is hoping it doesn't succeed. Nothing could be further from the truth and both myself and Cllr Clare Pritchard have been trying to work with the Tories and the traders to sort it out but the message that Wednesdays are a bad idea is being ignored. All this arguing is simply over Peter Britcliffe and Marlene Haworth desperately trying to save face and the longer it goes on the worse it will get for them.

Please admit defeat and let the traders get on with running their own businesses.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Everyone wants it to succeed.

It's just very worrying, after the £2 million pound refurbishment, that there's so much empty space, where until recently there were stalls.

There's the genuine fear, that after trying to fix something that wasn't broken, the Market Hall will go the way of the outdoor market. Which is a sad shadow of the busy, vibrant market we had, before those in power decided to shove their snouts in, in order to 'improve' it.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

the thing about the last 2 posts to me- is everyone can see it, bar the fools wi the clout.:mad: it takes a man to hold his hand up n say i was wrong, sadly we aint got one.:rolleyes:

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Would that also involve removing the stupid pedestrianisation in front of the Town Hall that diverts anyone travelling by car away, from the Town Centre?

I know that by the time I've negotiated the stop-start, zig-zag route I'm in no mood to tarry a while and look at the shops, I've already been moved away from there!
:(

If as a local it confuses me, how do strangers feel?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I went in the Market Hall today, it was easy to get around as there was only me and my daughter actually walking around, there were about 20 pensioners sat on benches listening to some god awful "artiste" with a keyboard.
I actually like the way the place has been opened up, I like the floor, I don't like the fact that it's more of a mausoleum than a market.
Something has gone badly, badly wrong.

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Sums everything up in one sentence Cashy!

Best Regards - Taggy

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I went in the Market on Sat and the new barber there was not too busy so thought i would give him a go as it was the accyweb meet sat night
He was good the place is very clean he is friendly and chatty and quick cutting your hair
price was £4:50p
will use him again
he was saying that there is no extra money being spent in the market its just spread over more days and most of the traders are finding it the same.
i noticed he had an Internet connection so gave him one of my accyweb cards so i hope he registers and gives us his point of view on things

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Is your name Clare? :p

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Not sure I want a person with a point of view standing over me with a sharp pair of scissors and a cut-throat razor.:eek::eek::D:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Easy enough, just agree (don't nod) just agree ! :D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Not that simple,There is one on Blackburn Rd. that has a sign saying he has been CERTIFIED.:eek::eek::D:D Not going in that one either.:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Well then buy some Dog Shears ! :D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Hi everyone,

Just thought i'd let people know whats the've actually got on the balcony.

Womens Hairdresser
Bead Shop
Hand-made Jewellery
Womens clothes shop
Gifts/interiors etc.
Hand-made soaps etc
Perfume shop
Community loan service
Home Support (not sure)
Card/craft shop
Artist
Remote control specialist/hobby shop
miniatures i.e hornby etc & hobby shop
Web designer
Beautician

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Missed the all important cafe, Nell, but thanks for that .. must take a look myself .. sounds interesting .. :)

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Obviously an oversight Neil, unless you could not bring yourself to name it?

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Why:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

I know Kate one or two shops have caught your eye, The Beauticians (not as you need it:)) Perfume Shop, Ladies Hairdressers to have those flowing locks done and what self respecting lass would turn her nose up at the Jewellery store:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

Hang on a minute ! I think the pet shop's lost one of it's Lizards, might find it in the Lounge area !:D

Re: Market Hall Refurbishment
 

The cost of aldo zilla just keeps going up as well as the footballers wages he was paid the council also put him and family up in a top room in the dunk.