New Wigan Market will open in Spring next year, rather than before Christmas as originally planned.

The opening of Wigan’s new market has been delayed and will now open next Spring, rather than the planned opening before Christmas this year. 

Wigan Council says it met with trader representatives on Tuesday 7 July to provide an update on the new market, including how it will operate once open in Spring 2027.

Council statement: 

“This allows time for the council and traders to shape a venue that supports existing businesses and offers the best possible visitor experience in the town centre. The timetable also means traders will have the opportunity to enjoy one final Christmas trading period in the current market before the new market opens.

Following the decision for the market to be operated directly by Wigan Council, additional work is now being undertaken to focus on developing an operating model that works for the people at the heart of the market.

This insight is now feeding into the final layout of the building’s internal design, ensuring the market’s long-standing businesses remain at the heart of one of the borough’s most significant regeneration projects.

Wigan Market forms the centrepiece of the wider ‘Fettlers’  developmentand will bring the market back to the heart of Wigan town centre, creating a vibrant destination where people can shop, eat, meet and spend time together.”

Some of the market traders have given me their reaction to the delay, Jonathan Lamb, who runs the watch stall says he thinks it’s a good thing, as “then it’s not a rush job, so everyone can get ourselves organised, and ready for the off”.  Similar from Kathleen, who runs Clunan’s, which has been in Wigan market for generations. 

She said: “We’re positive now that we’re going in at the start of the year. It’s been a long time coming, and I think the council possibly needs that time to find spaces for us all, which I think will be challenging”. 

Ray, who’s run a shoe stall in Wigan market for decades also echoes those fears, as he says they don’t know yet if they’ll be going into the new building. They have  until the end of August to apply. He said: “We have to apply for stalls, that’s the situation right now. If they can’t fit us in, they’ve said they’ll make space for us elsewhere in the town, but we’ve been market traders for 40 years, and we want to stay together”. 

This delay has come about after Northern Lights Group, who were initially going to operate the new market, parted company with the council earlier this year. The council will now operate the market going forward, but a new firm has come in to advise on what changes can be made, or not, to accomadate everyone. 

Northern Lights Group has a history of operating food halls, and not specifically markets, so it appears as the building was done to match their specifications for a food hall.  

Councillor Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration at Wigan Council, said: “Wigan has been a market town for centuries and that heritage remains an important part of our identity. The new market will honour that tradition while creating something fit for future generations. By taking the time now to work closely with traders, we’re ensuring we deliver a market that everybody can be proud of from day one.

“We’ve listened carefully to what traders have told us. They want a market that works for them and their customers, and they want to make the move at the right time for their businesses. The additional time allows us to incorporate that feedback into the design while ensuring traders can benefit from the important Christmas trading period”

Further updates on the market’s opening programme and trader engagement activity will be shared as the project progresses.

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