Reform UK has accused Bury council of 'years of failure' and is demanding a 'clear plan' for the town's indoor market, following the announcement of £10m in Government funding.
The Bury branch of the party, which forms the joint main opposition on Bury council, said leaders at the authority have 'left the market without support for more than three years' after the discovery of RAAC in the roof forced its closure. During this time, traders have 'faced disruption and uncertainty', with the group claiming some are 'on the brink of folding'.
Funding announcement
The group's statement follows an announcement this week of £10m in Government funding for the market. Leaders at the town hall have indicated this is intended to 'address the former Indoor Market Hall's condition and enable its future use'.
However, their statement came with the warning that 'no decisions have been made' on precisely what that 'future use' could look like. Those decisions will be 'informed by the needs of the wider town centre', and traders, residents, businesses and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to contribute.
Reform UK's response
Bury's Reform UK councillors say they welcome the funding announcement. However, they added the problems have been known since 2023 when the market hall closed. They have accused Bury council of 'failing to fund the repairs' in the intervening years. They are now calling for a plan and timescale for how the money will be used to be published 'as soon as possible'.
Jack Rydeheard, leader of the Reform UK Group on Bury council, said: "I'm pleased the Chancellor has finally accepted that Bury's indoor market needs help, and I'm glad our pressure has helped bring this about. But let's be clear: this shows the sheer incompetence and mismanagement of Labour-run Bury council.
"The market has been closed since 2023, and in all that time Labour failed to fix it and the Tories ignored it completely. Now they're relying on a rescue from central government."
Jerome Roith, deputy leader of the Reform UK Group on Bury council, said: "When we met the traders, they told us they had been ignored for years and couldn't get straight answers from the Council. They deserve far better.
"This money must not be wasted. We want to see a clear plan and timescale published quickly, so the funding is used properly and efficiently. Bury Council, let's finally get the indoor market back open and trading again."
Council's response
A council spokeswoman said: "Following confirmation of £10 million in Government funding, we will continue the detailed technical work already underway, including assessments of the building's condition, RAAC-related issues, and compliance requirements. This work will help shape a detailed future plan and determine how the funding can be used to bring the building back into productive use, while also supporting public spaces and connections between the market and the wider town centre.
"The focus remains on delivering a safe, viable and sustainable future for the Indoor Market Hall that supports Bury Market and complements the broader town centre regeneration. Further details on proposals, timescales and future uses will be shared as the assessment and design work progresses over the coming months."
The authority previously said the investment has been 'secured following years of work' by its teams and local partners and represents a 'major step forward in the transformation of Bury town centre'.
The cash is also expected to 'support ambitions' for new homes in the area around the market, which the council believes will create 'better links to shops, services and public transport'.
The council stressed the money is 'not the start of a new regeneration programme', but the 'latest investment' in a 'long-term plan'. Alongside the planned opening of the Casewells flexi-hall next month, the council has also secured £24m from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for work to the Mill Gate.
Investment into Bury Interchange is also ongoing, with work planned to create a new access, upgrade Metrolink platforms and the wider interchange, and potentially deliver housing on the land.
Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for regeneration and growth, said: "Bury Market is the jewel in our town centre's crown. Generations have shopped, traded and built businesses here, and we know how much people have missed the Indoor Market since its closure. We've worked hard to support traders through a difficult period while pursuing a long-term solution.
"Securing this funding has taken sustained work by the council, with the support of our Leader, Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, and James Frith's campaigning in Parliament. It's a fantastic result for Bury.
"[Our] LET'S Do It! [strategy] has always been about building on what makes our towns special and turning ambition into action. Look around Bury and you can see that happening. This £10 million is more evidence that we're doing it – but we're not done."
