Longsight market to open Sundays
19 October 2007
Longsight Market will open on Sundays from 10am to 4pm from 28 October.
Sunday opening comes in response to local demand, with 52% of shoppers surveyed at the market saying they would like it open that day.
The extra chance to shop should help to stimulate and regenerate other businesses in the area by attracting more visitors, bringing trade not just to the market but also to local shops and restaurants.
Mr Ahmad Zadi, vice-chair of the Longsight Market Traders' Association, said: Sunday opening is a very good idea. People have been asking for it for a long time.
"Most people work during the week and on Saturdays spend time with their families so they want to be able to go out shopping on Sundays.
"A lot of Asian people live in surrounding areas where they can't buy Asian foods easily so they come to the market. The Sunday market will be popular with Asian people who come to restaurants round the market area for a special breakfast only available on Sundays."
Councillor Eddy Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive member for markets, said: " People now expect to be able to shop seven days a week and Sunday has become the second busiest shopping day. Shopping on Sundays is now a leisure activity and Longsight Market needs to meet its customers' expectations."
Discussions with existing traders has resulted in more than two-thirds of the stalls already being booked for Sunday opening, even without stalls being advertised.
The market's management expect that the market will grow and become more popular and that all stalls will be open on Sundays by Christmas.
All the stalls at the regular markets on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, plus the Tuesday secondhand markets, are fully occupied and there is a waiting list of casual traders who want regular stalls.
Longsight Market is at the corner of Dickenson Road and St John's Road in the heart of a bustling multi-cultural area two miles from Manchester city centre.
It is known for its specialist goods, especially its wide range of Asian textiles and fabrics.
Media contact:
Martin Hellewell, tel: 0161 234 3729.
