[Margaret Pilkington]

Maybe you should have a look round Bury Market. That seems to be doing well to say that it is in close proximity to Manchester...and it always seems to have plenty of folk trotting round...not many empty stalls either.
The things you mention could be helped by a reduction in the rental costs. This would make it viable for traders and interesting for the shopper too.
Yes shopping habits have changed a lot but people will still come if you make it worthwhile.
And making it worthwhile means having stalls that are full of traders...something to look at.
Otherwise they could have knocked it down and made the whole thing into car parking.