I WAS quite shocked to read the front page headlines (Bury Times, Oct 22) about Bury Market. There is no question that the refurbishment is six months behind schedule, but for one councillor to describe the project as "a disaster" has angered many traders and is totally unfounded.

As the project nears completion the full majesty of this refurbishment reveals itself to the continuing delight of both the public and the traders. The project is far from "a disaster" but is, in fact, a vast improvement when compared with the old market.

For three years traders and the council have spent endless hours consulting, planning and painstakingly putting the project together. To implement such a project whilst 250 traders have continued to work - and the public have been able to carry on shopping in reasonable comfort - has required extremely knowledgable and accurate planning from all the parties concerned. Every affected trader has been offered temporary trading facilities of a reasonable standard. Every trader has paid rent, which may later have been reduced during periods of extreme disruption. If traders had left the market during the refurbishment the council would have lost millions in revenue and probably 50 per cent of the traders would not have returned.

So to lose only five per cent of market income throughout the refurbishment period has been a remarkable feat of management. The traders also realised that if they pushed for greater rent reductions this would have only drained the finances set aside for extra work, such as total resurfacing of the open market.

Yes, the project is significantly behind schedule due to many factors, the liability for which should be determined in discussions between the contractor and council. The traders have not - and will not - sacrifice specification and quality of workmanship just to satisfy a completion deadline, and neither should the council.

Most certainly, we have had our difficulties, but the market project is fundamentally very solid and will be, without question, the envy of other markets throughout the country. Far from being "a disaster" , it is potentially a great success and sincere congratulations must go to the council, council officers, Bury Market management and staff and, of course, the professional traders of Bury Market.

BURY MARKET TRADER

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.