[garinda]

Originally Posted by Wynonie Harris

No, it's not to do with changing shopping habits. The council have ripped the heart out of the place - first the outside market and now the market hall. I've been in three different markets over the last few weeks - Bolton, Leigh and Wigan - none of them have the good fortune to be in a stunning Victorian building like Accrington's, but they're all bustling, busy and full of life unlike ours which now has a listless, semi-deserted air about it. They're busy because they do what markets are supposed to do, sell a wide range of cheap and cheerful items, along with traditional foods, all at good value for money. No art displays, no empty spaces littered with benches, no small business units, just retail commerce, pure and simple.

Hoe many new businesses are there, still upstairs?

Lots seemed to have closed.

Not much passing trade up there, except for the odd passing trapeze artist, if all you're selling is a few Free Trade feathers and beads.

Nearly as many unrented units up yonder, as there are spaces downstairs, where once there were stalls floggin' stuff, folk would fork out to buy.