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Posted by Editor on 4th January 2010 at 01:07 PM
Eccles' hidden indoor market
by Tony Flynn

Were you aware that Eccles had two indoor markets?

We all know the tiny one on Eccles Precinct that is hardly used. However, if you were to cross onto Church Street just past the new Eccles Gateway Library and health centre you will find the original Eccles Indoor Market.

The building has been there for the past fifty years and has sadly seen better days with the market being badly affected by the local supermarkets, lack of parking space and general apathy by the locals.

I paid a visit last week and spoke to some of the traders about their hopes and fears for the market, it must be said that the first impression upon entering the market is that it does have an old fashioned look and feel to it, with sweet stalls, carpet stalls, fancy goods stalls and a tiny little cafe tucked away at the rear of the market.

The market which is privately owned is run by Mr. Malkin who has had a stall there for the past twenty two years, he thinks that there is still hope for the market because of the loyalty of the customers and the long tradition of family stallholders.

Davies the butchers has been in Eccles market for 25 years, Ann's Woollen and Clothing Alteration stall has stayed for 20 years and Nelly's cafe, which won awards in its day, has been there for over 30 years and is highly spoken of by Nelly's regulars.

Several of the stallholders had diffrent opinions upon why the market is struggling, one being that the building next door to the market, which collapsed in high winds several years ago has been left derelict and open giving some people the impression that the market is closed, others blame the Council for not helping out money wise, whilst others say the location of the market is to blame, no parking etc.

Mr Malkin said "I'm hopeful for the future of the market, but I'd like to see some Council investment, even if it this is privately-owned."

The butchers told us that they "would appreciate more food stalls in the market - there used to be bacon and cheese stalls in here several years ago, and even a fish stall, but they moved out long ago."

Ann's Woollen Goods has survived recently by branching out her services from clothing alteration to outfit design, making outfits for local dance troupes.

Personally I think it is a lovely little market, obviously too old fashioned but a nice reminder of what a traditional market should be like, clothes stalls, toy stalls, sweet stalls, a key cutting and car number plate stall, shoe stalls and cafe.

It would be a great shame if this market was to close, so next time you are passing please call in and browse around, you may be pleasantly surprised. Failing that, support your local traders before we lose them forever.

Do you have any favourite memories of the market? Join in the conversation and let us know by commenting below
Video interviews with market traders will follow on this article later

Comment by Guest  5th January 2010
It's been there a lot longer than fifty years, I'm in my sixties and it has been there all my life.
Comment by allan hayward ( member )  4th January 2010
I have not yet seen the new indoor market as I have not been back to Blighty for some time. However I well remember the old indoor market. It has been there more than 50 years, Tony. It was certainly there in the very early 50's, if not before. I remember my mother and my aunt parking me and my cousin in our prams by the little corner cafe whilst they had a cuppa; and I am 60 now! Whenever I revisit I always have a quick waltz around the place. Such memories. Thanks Tony.
Comment by Guest  4th January 2010
Have a look at the video on Salfordnews page it's a cracker!. Tom is a star.
Comment by Fazzer ( member )  4th January 2010
Good Luck with getting council investment, I have a stall on the council owned indoor market in Eccles, and they wont even invest in that one, so if they wont invest in their own market I cant see them investing in the private one.
Comment by Guest  4th January 2010
Used biscuit stall to buy 2d bag of broken biscuits as a schoolboy. The market holds a lot of fond memories for me as it does for lots of other people I,m sure.
Comment by Guest  4th January 2010
I can remember the fish stall when you went into the market, also the cafe at the back, usually crowded, and the bacon and cheese stalls, where have they all gone?.
Comment by Guest  4th January 2010
I think the problem is that there is nothing much in the market, and often when you go in you can be the only customer in the entire place, which just feels wierd!

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