STALYBRIDGE MARKET HALL V ALTRINCHAM MARKET HALL - my thoughts.

I have often seen calls for the Market Hall in Stalybridge to be re-invented just like that of Altrincham so this week I paid a visit for the first time. Arriving in Altrincham I parked in the multi-storey car park priced at £1 for the first hour or £2 for up to 3 hours. Not too expensive. Having never visited Altrincham before I descended in the car park lift wondering what to expect. Upon leaving the lift area and onto the High Street I was quite pleasantly surprised to find a busy town centre with many of the big names such as Next, WHSmiths, Rackhams and M&S etc . . My immediate thoughts were 'Hold on a minute, I thought the Market Hall project supported the town centre. This looks more like the Market Hall project rides on the back of the shoppers that are already here . . .' Like most town centres you don't have to walk far to see empty shops and if you have never visited Altrincham then trust me when I say 'All that glitters is not gold'. The outskirts are regularly punctuated with abandoned units for lease or for sale including the 'Graftons' a once bustling shopping hub with twenty five units. So, heading for the Market Hall we pass many food establishments, some are busy, some empty, some closed for the holidays then we see it. First impressions ? Lovely old building brought back to life ! So let's go inside, Wow, wow, the place is alive ! Having seen many pictures of this place I could never have imagined the sense of community within. Not just a commercially manufactured 'Foodcourt'. This was different. Prosecco and Real ale, young and old, families, couples wood fired pizza, burgers, pastries, a true attack on my senses ! Looking round I was impressed with all the stalls within but probably the thing that caught my eye most was the sense of these traders working together. A central seating area and a communal pot wash which I thought was a great idea. A real meeting place with oversized tables where strangers sat together, laughed and joked together and generally chit-chatted. I was impressed. I know, it sounds like I'm selling you a day trip doesn't it ? The point of my visit was to see for myself, could this be Stalybridge Market Hall ? Physically, I believe it could but would it be sustainable ? Earlier on, I wondered whether the Market Hall rode on the back of the shoppers already there but having seen and genuinely felt the sense of community within the Market Hall my belief is this, they support each other. Personally I visited Altrincham Market Hall because it is a known 'Destination'. I will be going back ! Could the Market Hall in Stalybridge be the same ? I believe so, yes. Many would say 'ahh but, Altrincham is much more affluent', that maybe so but with nothing like it in Tameside Stalybridge Market Hall could be that 'Destination'. In addition, the Market Hall in Stalybridge has some fantastic exhibition/community rooms to the rear. Certainly an edge over Altrincham Market Hall. Set in one of the most idyllic spaces in Tameside I belive it to be absolutely the right place where you could meet friends for coffee or a bite to eat. Such a wasted opportunity right on our doorstep. Anyway, just my thoughts, let me know what you think. Thank you for taking the time to read, regards Lee. If you want to see more of Altrincham Market Hall, http://www.altrinchammarket.co.uk/

First posted December 2017 - LINK

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