After 53 years the Church Street Market, based in the Northern Quarter, had to close it’s stalls on September 14.
The market sold fresh fruit and held vegetable stalls. It was also home to a much-loved book vendor, becoming a familiar sight for Manchester locals.
The building that housed the market, located at 20-22 and 24-36 High Street, is set to be demolished soon and replaced with a 22-storey structure, containing commercial spaces and 361 new apartments.
A planning application was initially submitted in 2018 and later approved in 2020.
Martin McCall, owner of McCall’s Greengrocers and McCall’s Organics, family businesses that have been operating for 127 years, told the Manchester Evening News:
“It’s the last bit of Manchester left. It’s the last bit of character left […] How would you like to be left in limbo for five-and-a-half years, not knowing what your future was?”
A spokesperson for Manchester City Council said:
“Unfortunately, after extensive efforts we were unable to find an alternative market site that suited all parties, and we have since agreed a settlement with the businesses as part of the closure process. We’d like to thank the traders for their service to our city.”
The market officially closed on September 14, with many stalls selling stock at half price or giving it away for free on the last day.
