‘The whole world of markets has moved on’
(Image: Pugh Auctioneers)
A ‘unique’ Manchester market is set to close after more than a century.
The Conran Street Market is thought to be the last privately-owned market in the city, with its 50 stalls still trading to this day.
Now, the family which owns the Harpurhey site has decided to put the acre of land and its existing redbrick buildings up for sale. It will be auctioned off with a guide price of £450,000.
While the market’s future lies with whoever buys it on July 30, auctioneers Pugh believe it will make the ideal spot for new housing.
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“Although it’s always sad to see a community asset such as a market go, there is an urgent need for quality new housing stock in Harpurhey,” said Ed Feather, a director at Pugh.
“The area immediately surrounding the market site is mainly residential, so a new development would be in keeping with this neighbourhood.”
He added: “It’s in an excellent location, just four miles north of Manchester city centre and right next to the pleasant 45-acre green space of Moston Vale.”
Conran Street Market, Harpurhey 1972(Image: Manchester Libraries and Local Archives)
“Central Park business park is also nearby, with a growing workforce and a resulting demand for quality accommodation.”
Along with stalls, Conran Street has a cafe and graffiti artwork on the wall of the main market building, which Pugh added will be ‘safeguarded’ as a community asset, either by incorporating the art into any new development, or moving the wall to another spot in Harpurhey.
Pat Karney, a Labour councillor for the area, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the ‘unique’ market had defined the north Manchester neighbourhood for generations.
He said: “It’s been in Harpurhey for decades but the whole world of markets has moved on. I just wish a good future for it.”