I could cry... It's our busiest time of year

TRADERS DEVASTATED AS MARKET HALL FORCED TO CLOSE UNTIL AT LEAST CHRISTMAS OVER ROOF SAFETY FEARS

- JOSEPH TIMAN

BURY Market traders have been left stunned after being told the market hall could be closed until at least Christmas for urgent repair work.

On Thursday night stallholders were told that the indoor market has been temporarily closed for urgent safety work after lightweight concrete which could collapse was discovered in the hall’s roof. Traders have now been told the hall will be shut until at least Christmas.

Bury council confirmed that some Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was used in the construction of the 1970s building.

This is the same material that has been found in 12 schools and colleges across the city region as well as hospitals and other buildings.

Responding to new government guidance which has meant that sections of some schools could not open in September, local authorities and housing associations have been investigating their properties.

Surveyors were sent to Bury Market this week and on Thursday at 3pm, a ‘red notice’ was reported to the council which was forced to shut the indoor hall an hour later.

The market is still open for business, Bury council has insisted, with the majority of stalls unaffected while some stallholders who are based inside the building have already been relocated. But many of the businesses across the market are uncertain about the future.

Speaking to the M.E.N, Chelsea Noone, who runs a nail salon in the market hall, said she ‘could cry’.

She added: “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.