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..AND THAT'S OFFICIAL.
We have been assured by Manchester Markets that they are committed to keeping the market open.
Many of you will have seen the notice posted in the market, and we have been asked to print it in this issue in order to reaffirm that commitment (it's on page 3).
This is very good news for those of us who have campaigned for the market, but what is being done to make it into the kind of market we want? It is well known that the market has been suffering from vandalism, theft, robbery and general neglect which seem to have grown worse over the last year or so and these have greatly contributed to the decline of our market.
Recently, members of the Forum spoke to a representative of Manchester Markets in order to find out what is really happening.
We asked about the toilets, the closure of which was seen by many as a final nail in the coffin. We are happy to report that the Ladies is now open after being refurbished and the Gents will open in the very near future. Steps are being taken to enhance security on the market including the installation of new CCTV cameras which should be in operation by the time you read this (they're going to be installed on pylons which should stop them from being stolen like the last lot). The cameras will be monitored 24 hours a day with video recording. Securicor have been engaged to provide a security patrol on the days that the market is open, and we are told that the police have designated the area as a Priority 1 beat which should mean more police patrols too.
The future development of the market site depends on several factors, presently the only income available is that from rents, which is barely enough to cover maintenance (the £12,000 cost of the cameras and the cost of the security guards has had to be borne directly by Manchester Markets). Future funding will come from private investment and the redevelopment of the District Centre, which we are assured will be going ahead. A firm has been chosen who will work with the Markets, but we are again assured that there will be consultation before any changes are made. There is a firm commitment to learn from what has happened at other market sites and a determination that Gorton will get the market that the people want and not what the developers want to give us. To this end, overall control will still lie with the Council.
On the whole we are encouraged by the response from Manchester markets, but we will continue to monitor the situation and let you know what is happening.
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