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
Radcliffe man, 76, jailed after sexually abusing young teenage girls more than 40 years ago
Emily Sergeant
A man who sexually abused two teenage girls more than 40 years ago has been put behind bars.
After two brave women came forward and disclosed to Greater Manchester Police (GMP) the abuse they endured more than four decades ago, Kenneth Goodman, of Greendale Drive in Radcliffe, was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 14 years, and three counts of gross indecency with a girl also under the age of 14.
Both victims knew Goodman in a ‘professional capacity’, police explained, and were in their early teenage years at the time of the abuse.
The first survivor approached GMP in 2018 to report the abuse Goodman subjected her to, and then this subsequent investigation then led officers to identifying a second survivor who confirmed she had been in a sexual relationship with Goodman as a teenager.
The first woman was subjected to abuse on numerous occasions when she was around Goodman – with him making inappropriate comments to her and coercing her into sexual activity when they were alone together.
The second woman was groomed over a period of around three years, with Goodman initially manipulating her at the age of 12 into being in a relationship with him and engaging in sexual activity.
Goodman told the victim that as she had turned 13, they could ‘go further with their intimacy’, before the abuse continued until around the time the victim was 15.
Following his arrest in 2019, Goodman denied the offences, but a jury found him guilty at a trial in March earlier this year.
He will serve six years in prison and has been placed on the sex offender’s register for life.
Speaking following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jonathan McGregor, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “This has been an ongoing investigation and the victims have shown incredible strength and patience throughout the process.
“I would firstly like to express my gratitude to them, as their support during this investigation has led to the conviction and sentencing of Goodman.
“This was an awful case about abuse of power. Goodman took advantage of these women from such a young age, and they have carried this with them since.
“I hope this sentence can now provide them with a sense of comfort and reassurance that no matter how long it has been, we will always take reports of this nature seriously, and we will do everything we can to ensure perpetrators see justice.”
Featured Image – GMP
Bury
A Thomas the Tank Engine replica steam train is travelling through Greater Manchester this summer
Emily Sergeant
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester once again this summer.
But this time, it’s with a rock and roll twist.
After delighting families throughout the region during countless successful events over the past couple of years, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has announced that the Thomas the Tank Engine replica train is back this summer, arriving in a couple of weeks for a ‘rocking good’ time.
In case you aren’t too familiar with the beloved Day Out With Thomas experience, it’s said to be ‘a train ride like no other’.
Families have the chance to hop onboard the replica of the cult-classic blue train character when he returns next weekend for a 45-minute trip through the Greater Manchester countryside.
Everyone’s favourite little blue engine is making another return to Greater Manchester this summer / Credit: ELR
The journey begins at Bury Train Station, where you’ll be greeted by The Fat Controller, meet Sir Topham Hatt, say hello to Thomas on the platform, and then climb aboard a carriage, all before Thomas makes a final stop at the beautiful Ramsbottom station.
The doors to Bury Transport Museum will also be open across the weekend and will be hosting loads of fun free activities.
On the Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour, families will be able to watch and dance along to exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty, join in the Thomas and Friends character hunt, have fun with garden games, keep the beat going at the ‘Music Corner’ packed with music-inspired fun, and so much more.
Thomas will be stopping at East Lancashire Railway this year on 18-19 July so there’s plenty of opportunities to see him, and tickets are now on sale.
Ticket prices start at £14.50 for kids, and £24 for adults.
Emily Sergeant -
7th July 2021 
