IT’S time to stand up and be counted – we have to get Ashton market hall back on its feet.

The outer wall is all that remains of the historic landmark after a fierce blaze tore through the building in the early hours of last Tuesday morning.

But as well as destroying thousands of pounds worth of stock, more than 100 stallholders were not insured – their livelihoods are in tatters. (Music Corner Note: The Phoenix fund is to help the traders not to rebuild the market hall.)

Now The Advertiser has teamed up with Tameside Council to launch the ‘Ashton Market Hall Phoenix Fund.’ The target? A whopping £1 million.

Councillor Kieran Quinn, cabinet member for economic services, says anything else could see ‘the heart ripped out of our community’.

"Ashton’s indoor and outdoor markets are at the heart of our community," he said. "We have heard stories about other fires where it has taken the heart away from that town but we won’t let that happen here."

"Realistically we need to raise £1 million and we really need everyone’s help."

Representatives from the council and Ashton Chamber of Trade have formed a committee and are now hoping to canvass support from businesses in and around the borough.

The Greater Manchester Disaster Fund and the Tameside Mayor’s Distress Fund have also been identified as possible sources of cash.

But most importantly, members of the public are now being called on to dig deep and help save their much-loved market.

Donations can be dropped off at all libraries, Tameside Council offices and at the Advertiser in Booth Street, Ashton.

A time scale of two-years has been given before a replacement market hall is completed.

A temporary market should be open for business in three months but no location has been decided.

Music Corner Note
The Phoenix fund is to help the traders not to rebuild the market hall.