'We love this place' – new Market Hall opens to a warm response

Rotherham's new Market Hall has opened today to a warm response – from the weather and traders.

The Market Hall opened this morning during the current heatwave and is set to “bring together familiar traders in a modern space in the heart of the town centre, so that residents can continue to shop locally and support their regular businesses”, said an RMBC spokesperson.

The entrance to the Market Hall is on Eastwood Lane on the Rotherham College side of the building, with access through a new outdoor space which today is bedecked with gold and glittery balloons.

Inside, the Advertiser spoke to a number of traders who welcomed the move.

Mark Brown, of Dale Farm Foods, said: “I’ve worked in this market since I was 16 years old, on and off for years, and I’ve been here for six years now.

“This is very positive – it looks amazing.

“All the traders and Rotherham Council have put in so many hours and so much work on this – credit where it is due.

“Triple A+ for effort to them all.

“It's good news for the town so let's move Rotherham forwards, not back.”

Lorna Smithson of Mike's Famous Book Stall said of the new unit: “It all looks much nicer and it's better for accessibility for customers to get around.

“We're looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.”

Staniforths manager Anne Cornish said: “It is a mixture of feelings – it's exciting news while also ensuring we get our existing customers, some of whom are older people, used to the new space and make them aware of accessibility features like the lift.

“We're really hopeful it's going to bring people back into the town centre.”

Scott Bramley of Discount Carpets said: “It's a really nice new space which hopefully should bring people in.”

Claire Cadman – who has run the Melts and Memories stall with husband Mark and daughter Hannah for three years, two in the markets – said: “We love this place.

“It has a lovely atmosphere and all the traders, we are like our own little family in here.

“The new space feels modern and doesn't feel at all tired like the old space had become, like older buildings do over time.

“The market management team here have been great – nothing has been a problem for them.”

Husband Mark added: “I think it's amazing, it's stunning.

“So many of the former traders are here and, whether you've been at the markets for years or not, all the units and everything here looks and is brand new.”