£16m market hall reopens after blaze

ASHTON’S historic market hall, ravaged by a fire in 2004, finally reopened today after a restoration scheme costing £16 million.

Work has been going on continuously to bring the grade two listed building back to life.

Street artists and musicians on an open-air stage took part in the celebrations to mark the opening.

Executive member for economic services on Tameside Council, Councillor Kieran Quinn, said: “It has taken more than four years and plenty of hard work by the council and its partners to produce the present structure.

Focus

“Ashton’s market hall is not just one of Tameside’s most iconic structures, it is also the life and soul of the town centre.

“The public, like me, wanted it to return to its rightful place as an integral part of Ashton’s shopping experience.

“The market hall is also the central focus for business start-up in Ashton, with the additional provision of nine business units on the first floor.”