'I feel like I could cry - it's the busiest time of year and there's nothing I can do'
27.10.2023 - 11:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bury Market traders and their staff have woken up this morning (October 27) to find their stalls shut as the indoor hall is suddenly shut. The market hall is temporarily closed as surveyors carry out urgent safety work due to the type of lightweight concrete it is built with which could collapse.
Bury council has confirmed that some Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was used in the construction of the building in 1971. In total, 49 traders who have stalls in the market hall have been affected.
Most of Bury Market remains open. But traders on other stalls fear their businesses will also be affected as customers are put off by the closure.
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Currently, some traders at outdoor stalls cannot access their stock which is in the storage located within the building. Surveyors are now assessing whether repairs will be required with some traders set to be relocated.
Traders were informed of the closures last night (October 26). They are waiting for a further update from market mangers later this morning.
One trader, who asked not to be named, claims he was told that if repairs are required, the Market Hall could be closed until Christmas. Chelsea Noone, who runs a nail salon in the hall, says she is 'gutted'.
She said: "My hair's falling out. I've not slept. I feel like I could cry. It's the busiest time of year. I'm literally booked up to the new year.
"All my regulars I've had to let down. It's not my fault but there's nothing I can do.
"They're saying they're going to move us, but I don't know where they're going to move me."
Her dad, Alan Noone, has an