Bury Market could be set for £40 million regeneration under new plans
Bury Market could become a "large, state-of-the-art, carbon neutral and multifunctional events space" that supports market stalls, pop-up trading, live performances, and community events.
Greater Manchester’s famous Bury Market could become home to a “state-of-the-art” events space as part of ambitious new £40 million plans.
Bury Council confirmed yesterday that it has officially submitted two bids totalling £40 million to the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund – which was announced in the spring Budget – for vital regeneration works.
If successful, the money will be used to accelerate the “transformative regeneration programme” that’s already being delivered in the borough – including the creation of a new civic hub in the centre of Radcliffe.
Under the new proposals, the Bury Market could become what Council leaders have dubbed a “flexi hall” – a large, carbon neutral and multifunctional events space that can support market stalls, ‘pop-up’ trading, live performances, and community events.
The development will also include a café, areas dedicated to office functions and delivering workshops, and co-working/small business start-up space.
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Images of the new flexi hall for Bury Market and the Community Hub in Radcliffe, proposed as part of our £40 million bid to the Government's Levelling Up fund. pic.twitter.com/6x3lGzNRPE
Without aiming to lose or alienate existing customers, Bury Council said it hopes the flexi hall will be used to “complement [Bury Market’s] offer and expand the diversity of groups who use it.”
The flexi hall will be used to support:
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Wellbeing Programmes – Especially targeted at older people and the key groups already using the market to support independent living, healthy eating, and living well.
Enterprise Programmes – Linked to students and graduates of Bury College, and focusing on digital skills and businesses.
Pop-Up Trading – The flexi hall can provide much needed space to support food and drink festivals and seasonal events, such as Christmas markets.
Cultural Performances
Speaking on the launch of the two bids, Leader of Bury Council Eamonn O’Brien said: “Response, recovery and regeneration are the over-riding priorities for the council, and with these bids we are stepping up our ambitions to create the largest regeneration in a generation for the people of our borough.
“We are forging our own plans to bounce back post-COVID and create prosperity and opportunities for all sections of the community.
“We hope the government will match our ambitions on this.”
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A new civic hub would also be built in the centre of Radcliffe under the new proposals / Credit: Bury Council
Mr O’Brien continued: “The bid will support our aims to… create a multi-purpose flexi-hall adjacent to Bury Market to make the whole area even more attractive to shoppers and visitors.”
“We look forward to hearing some good news from the government,” he concluded.
Feedback on the bids is expected in the autumn.
Featured Image – Bury Council
Bury
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
Iconic Flying Scotsman steam train returns to Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
One of the most iconic steam trains of all time will be travelling through the Greater Manchester countryside this summer.
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) says it’s ‘delighted’ to announce the return of the magnificent LNER Class A3 60103 Flying Scotsman – which is also, affectionately, known as ‘The People’s Engine’ – to its historic train line next summer in June, courtesy of both the National Railway Museum and Northern Steam.
The record-breaking engine is making a long-anticipated return to the line, bringing with it the unmistakable sights, sounds, and nostalgia of the ‘Golden Age’ of steam travel.
This is a rare opportunity to see the engine up close and to feel the power and presence of one of Britain’s most iconic locomotives.
The legendary steam engine will be giving passengers the chance to hop onboard for the ride on various dates throughout June (5, 6, 7, 13 and 14 June), so enthusiasts can make the most of this unforgettable opportunity to travel on this world-famous train.
For those who prefer a closer look, the Flying Scotsman will be on static display on selected dates throughout June too.
Luxury dining experiences aboard one of ELR’s beautifully restored heritage carriages will also be available to book on the days the Flying Scotsman is here in Greater Manchester.
Unfamiliar with the Flying Scotsman? The train first entered service in 1923, and since then has become a British icon, representing the very best of steam-era innovation. It was the first steam locomotive officially recorded at 100 miles per hour, and over a century later, it continues to attract attention all over the world.
The train’s journey has not always been an easy one though, from budget cuts to multiple ownerships and painstaking restorations – yet through it all, Flying Scotsman has remained a beloved part of the UK’s cultural heritage.
Flying Scotsman’s visits to Greater Manchester drawn record crowds in previous years, and 2026 is set to be no exception.
“We are delighted and proud to once again warmly welcome back the world’s most iconic locomotive, Flying Scotsman, as it returns to the East Lancashire Railway for a five-day visit in June,” commented Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of the ELR.
“We have an exciting programme of events planned for all our visitors and enthusiasts to enjoy the unique experience of riding behind Flying Scotsman or visiting the footplate and creating wonderful memories.”
Find out more and book tickets to see the Flying Scotsman next summer here.
Emily Sergeant -
7th July 2021 
