Entrepreneur wants to bring market back to Rawtenstall (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Entrepreneur wants to bring market back to Rawtenstall

12:00pm Saturday 9th March 2013 in News

AN ENTREPRENEUR wants to bring a monthly farmers’ market to a public square and has called on the council to back him.

William Holt, from Helmshore, has organised an event to take place at the town square in Bank Street, Rawtenstall, on April 6, and wants to make it a regular fixture.

The square, formerly home to the Valley Centre, has been criticised in the past by some councillors for being “under-used” since it opened in October last year.

An artisan market takes place the week before Mr Holt’s event and he said it was good to have competition and variety on the site.

Mr Holt, 27, said: “Rossendale Council has held back with us booking the site in advance until we have shown this is a successful event, which we know it will be.

“There is no reason why we can’t have a bit of healthy competition.

“Let’s all work together to turn Rawtenstall back into the town it once was.

“If Ramsbottom can have all these fabulous events, why can’t Rawtenstall? We certainly have the space.”

The event will feature around 30 stalls with local traders, a funfair and water walkers.

Steve Jackson, head of health, housing and regeneration for Rossendale Council, said: “When he first approached us a month ago, his initial idea was for a farmers’ market but I feel that he has since changed that to something more generic.

“We don’t want the same events on every week.

“We want to offer different experiences throughout the year.

“I’m meeting Mr Holt next week to discuss this. At the moment it’s still going ahead.”