Enlightened a tad.

[SPUGGIE J]

I am of the belief now to a certain extent why Accy with its market and shops is in such dire straits and why people choose to shop out of town.

Now I dont know if I an sad, in touch with my feminine side or that I stay on my own but I enjoy walking around markets. Anyway on Tuesday I was at Accy market (if it can be called that now) for a bimmble around and see if I could find a bargin and sadly i didnt. I have been around Blackburns market Burnleys Market and even the little un at Hassy yet after a discussion shock and a slapped wrist from spooks I took my first step onto Bury market and wow what a shock I recieved!!!! Compared to Accy which is an owd banger Bury is a Rolls Royce was like stepping into a different world!! Everything all in walking distance of the bus station, a great big market like how they should be, a meat and fish hall a market hall, a shopping centre with big name and exclusive stores decent cafes and loads of shoppers I have access to markets where I stay inc Glasgow Edinburgh etc but they aint good enough to wipe the dirt of Burys boots. It goes to show what can be done if the will is there to make something good.

There needs to be an effort to try and improve the town but unless the council looks at other towns then it will fail. We once had a bit of everything yet now we have not a lot and people will shop were they can get what they want. To me they should have revamped the old outdoor market instead of selling up and make it work with the shops and the Arndale for the sake of the town but instead they have let it die. Rents are too high facilities poor ease of access is on a par with getting into North Korea. I never thought I would say this but Accy shopping is a disgrace and shameful on the council!!!

[Mancie]

Unless I was in a dream ..it's not long ago I could walk round Accy market ..outdoor and indoors and get ..tripe,fresh made pies,black pudding,good butchers meat..if it's gone down hill then who's to blame?

[Royboy39]

Would the lease of Charter Rights for Accy to a private operator be the answer?

[Mancie]

I can see why you decided to live in Spain RoyBoy..go to the sun and leave us to the privaters..more well known as pirates..of course give up more of Accrington to the "your fired" brigade.

[Royboy39]

Originally Posted by Mancie

I can see why you decided to live in Spain RoyBoy..go to the sun and leave us to the privaters..more well known as pirates..of course give up more of Accrington to the "your fired" brigade.

Tha market is in decline and has been for many years...and mishandled by
Pirates who appear to know nothing or don't care.
You asked who's to blame...Maybe this is your answer.

[accyman]

virgin
british gas
currys
dixons

all but a few that pulled out of accrington and mostly relocated at whitebirk , once they left town the place started going down hill fast, the new market is a disgrace as well but the council saw fit to demolish a market with charecter to make way for what is essencialy a few cheap shops and game

all these shops could have used the arndale center there was no need to demolish the outdoor market

[garinda]

Although never in the same league as Bury, Accrington's three day market was one of the best in the area. It attracted traders, and more importantly customers, from far and wide.

In my opinion the death knell of the market was when the council decided to move it. A decision that seemed to spell the end of the market, and offered very little in return.

I still usually shop in Accy twice a week, but instead of heading to the market, it's just somewhere to walk through, and feel sad that there are now so many empty stalls.

This isn't about people's shopping habits changing. As was pointed out, many towns still have thriving markets, sadly Accrington isn't one of them.

Hang your heads in shame, whoever on Hyndburn Borough Council came up with this ludicrous scheme.

[Mancie]

Its funny but if not for the internet... the problem with Accy market and anything else would not be known but for the press...forums don't carry the power of the newspapers
anyone can go and open a stall at Accy market (I presume)..no ..not so easy

[accyman]

its very easy to open up a stall on the market all you have to do is see the market inspector i think they call him and sort out your payment/rent of the stall and you can set up

only problem is the market was struggling before they demolished it and thenew market has only made things worse

on the old market it was split into two halves , one side for all your fruit,veg , eggs,chicken and electical etc and a couple of side units and the other half was toys and clothes.Also the old market stalls were better set out and actualy better in appearance too in my opinion ( fish stalls were located away from the main market but near by)

the new market is a lot smaller with bad drainage and also they have moved the fish stalls alongside the other stalls and because of the bad drainage makes walking through most of it unpleasant

the sinical part of me thinks that either council officials were high on drugs when they thought the new market was a good idea or got a big bonus off a contracting company for letting them rip up our quite addequate market


i knew a family that had a fruit and veg stall for generations on the market but when they demolished it the council provided very poor alternatives for them whiel the new market was built which resulted in most traders giving up

[Margaret Pilkington]

The inside market is no better......and perhaps we could attract more traders if the price of having a stall was reduced.
No-one in their right mind would travel to see something which is such a shambles of a market.......well of course unless they were on a fact finding mission on how NOT to do it.

[shillelagh]

I notice someone never said what he did while walking round bury market? He consumed a hot black pudding and a cup of black peas. Then sat down and ate half a custard and a latte!!! Greedy person he is. Mind you you should see what we had for tea last night - gammon joint - cost a £5 already cooked it was gorgeous!!!! Still got half of it left for tonight, fresh pineapple as well with it.

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

No-one in their right mind would travel to see something which is such a shambles of a market.......well of course unless they were on a fact finding mission on how NOT to do it.

Quite right, Margaret...perhaps the bigwigs of the council could travel to Bury market on a fact finding mission to see how it SHOULD be done.

The only time I see Accy market is Saturday lunchtimes on home matchdays and I find it a thoroughly depressing experience...semi-deserted with empty stalls and a general atmosphere of despondency. The lack of shoppers on the market and in the town centre in general for what should be the busiest day of the week is amazing - you'd see more on a wet Monday afternoon back in the old days.

At the other end of the spectrum, I visited Bury market for the first time a few months ago and I was amazed - large, busy, bustling, with a plethora of well-stocked stalls and shops offering something for everyone. And as for the old excuse about Blackburn and Burnley being too close, Bury market is a 20 minute tram ride from downtown Manchester and still manages to thrive in the face of such stiff competition.

The ultimate irony is that Accrington has more potential to offer an enjoyable shopping environment than most - unlike many towns, we have preserved our Victorian market hall, along with a handsome shopping arcade and areas that could be rich in appeal like Warner Street. Unfortunately, it's all been wasted due to a lack of vision and sheer ineptitude and as an Accy lad, that makes me very sad.

[Mancie]

Maybe the lack of shoppers at the Accy market has summat to do with Accy Stanley..most of the people that used to shop on the market have junked it and gone to watch Accy Stan..you can't have it both ways!

[Wynonie Harris]

Originally Posted by Mancie

most of the people that used to shop on the market have junked it and gone to watch Accy Stan.

I wouldn't have thought so, judging by the crowds we get!

[Mancie]

Always got the thought to cling to Wynonie..more at the Clayton End than Accy market!