Bury Council has insisted that Bury Market is “still open for business” despite a number of shock temporary stall closures.
It comes after the news broke this morning (27 October) that a total of 49 traders based in the indoor section of the Greater Manchester town’s world-famous Market had been ordered, with immediate effect, to shut up shop for the time being.
The multi award-winning Market – which has been voted the nation’s favourite market on two occasions recently – dates all the way back to 1440, and has operated from several town centre sites over the centuries, but it moved to its current home in the early 1970s after the previous market hall burned down in 1968.
Closures are while necessary safety investigations on the Market’s roof and building are conducted.
In a statement addressing the shock partial closure of the Market today, Bury Council said the safety investigations required to be carried out will determine whether any repairs to the roof and building are required.
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This is because some RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete) was used in the original construction of the building.
IMPORTANT NOTICE 🔔
There has been a partial closure to carry out safety works at Bury Market affecting our Market Hall/Indoor Market stalls.
Please note, our Open Market and Fish & Meat Hall stalls will be open as normal.
Councillor Charlotte Morris, who is the cabinet member for Culture and the Economy at Bury Council, said the safety of traders and customers is the Council’s “top priority”.
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“As a precaution, we have taken the decision to close the market hall while we carry out further investigatory work,” Cllr Morris explained.
“These measures only affect the indoor stalls, so our large outdoor market, and the fish and meat hall, will remain open for business [and] we are working with the 49 traders affected to find nearby alternative premises for them while this safety work is carried out.
“Once the site investigations have been carried out, we will be able to announce what remedial work needs to be done, and what the timescale for that will be.
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Council insists Bury Market is ‘still open for business’ despite shock temporary closure / Credit: Bury Market (via Facebook)
“But in the meantime, please show your support for our brilliant market traders and come along and snap up the usual range of bargains in our unique market atmosphere.”
Bury Council has apologised to all the affected traders, and to the Market’s many customers for the “inconvenience” the temporary closures will cause.
No reopening dates have been confirmed, as of yet.
Featured Image – Bury Market (via Facebook)
News
Tribute paid to man ‘loved by so many’ stabbed to death in Levenshulme
Daisy Jackson
The brother of a man stabbed to death in Levenshulme has paid a heartbreaking tribute to him.
Zherko Rasul Osman was just 24 years old when he was fatally wounded in an incident on Chapel Street on Saturday evening.
Despite the best efforts of emergency services personnel, Zherko sadly died at the scene.
Now, his brother has paid tribute to him, saying he was ‘someone who was loved by so many’.
The touching tribute reads: “My brother was a kind, friendly and loving person who never looked for trouble or wanted to harm anyone.
“He was loved and respected by his friends, his mates and the neighbours in the community where he lived. He had a good heart and would always be remembered for the warmth and happiness he brought to those around him.
“His life was taken so suddenly and for no reason, leaving a pain and emptiness that words cannot describe. We are heartbroken that someone who was loved by so many is no longer here. He deserved to live his life and make memories with the people he loved.
“He will never be forgotten. His smile, his kindness and the memories we shared with him will stay in our hearts forever. We love you, and we will miss you every single day.”
Zherko Rasul Osman suffered serious stab wounds on Chapel Street in Levenshulme at around 7.06pm on Saturday 15 August.
A 23-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and he remains in custody for questioning. A 27-year-old man who had also been arrested on suspicion of murder remains on bail pending further enquiries.
Officers continue to make progress as the investigation continues. It is believed this was an isolated incident with no wider threat to the public.
Police are urging anyone who may have information to please report it through the dedicated online portal HERE.
Anyone in the Chapel Street area around the time of this incident, or who has mobile phone, CCTV, Ring doorbell or dashcam footage can contact police on 0161 856 9008 quoting the log number 2983 of 15/08/2026.
Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Government launches £442m drive to get rough sleepers off streets before Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas.
Learning from ‘innovative’ approaches put into place during the pandemic, the Government has announced that new accommodation will be rolled out across England this winter, as well as offering practical help with housing, health, and other needs to support people to build a more stable life for themselves in the future.
The new commitment to offer everyone a route off the streets this Christmas, along with boosted funding, reflect the Andy Burnham‘s national drive to make ‘real change’ and get everyone playing their part in ending rough sleeping.
Not only will these plans change the lives of rough sleepers, but it’s also said they will have huge benefits for the country as a whole.
Research from homelessness charity Crisis suggests that by preventing 40,000 people from becoming homeless for a year, taxpayers could save around £370 million.
The Government has launched a £442m drive to get rough sleepers off the streets before Christmas / Credit: Number 10 Press Office | Jon Tyson (via Unsplash)
As well provisions to get people off the streets, and the intensive ‘wraparound’ support, the newly allocated funding will also help local areas deliver more than 1,000 ‘settled’ homes over the next three years, it has been confirmed.
Areas facing the greatest pressures will receive the largest share of support.
Working alongside councils, Mayors will play a leading role in driving local action to end rough sleeping, and will be tasked with making decisions that are right for their communities to deliver help where it’s needed most.
The Prime Minister says he ‘won’t accept’ rough sleeping any longer. He commented: “No one should have to bed down in a doorway or outside a station, but we’ve seen it for so long that it feels like Westminster has started to accept it.
“That’s why my first instruction as Prime Minister was to end rough sleeping, and it’s why today we’re getting started with a national drive to get everyone in for Christmas. We did it in the pandemic, we can do it again. But it needs all of us.
Emily Sergeant -
27th October 2023 
