Levenshulme hoping to host first markets since 2023

Levenshulme will continue to host their first markets since the popular community-run Levenshulme markets were stopped.

A new makers market has made its debut in Levenshulme, taking place in Levenshulme Inspire, a community hub and café located in the centre of the suburb. 

What are the new markets

The markets act as a replacement for the Levenshulme markets, which ceased operation last year and have been unable to reopen. When asked, Levenshulme councillor Dzidra Noor claimed that ‘Levenshulme market has not agreed to the terms of the licence agreement with the council’ and that ‘other operators had expressed an interest in running markets in the area.’ Despite this, no clear alternatives have been presented since the market stopped trading last summer.

Whilst the community ran markets are gone, Levenshulme Inspire Centre hosted the first markets in the area will act as an ongoing replacement, though how long this will be for is unknown. The Inspire Centre, located on Stockport Road through the centre of the area, hosts numerous community events as well as the markets, and is the home to a community café.

Rachel Levy, a volunteer at the café, says that although the Levenshulme markets are missed, the organisers of the makers market were ‘really trying hard to kind of fill a gap’ that their absence has left in the community.

‘Different organisations took it upon themselves to kind of create something instead or whilst we wait for a more regular market to come back’ said Rachel, who claims that it is important that the community get involved, as they currently have a small pool of volunteers. 

Aside from the markets, Rachel’s group of volunteers also do work with the local community that includes helping the elderly, packing food, organising a choir and assisting with the recently launched Levy Queer Club.

Stalls at the revived markets include paintings, jewellery, food and pottery, with over thirty local artists and vendors taking part.

What happened to Levenshulme markets?

Since the markets ceased to operate, Levenshulme residents have routinely expressed their dismay at the decision, with some claiming that it has led to an increase in littering found in the area where the markets previously took place.

Levenshulme councillor Zahid Hussain, who was recently re-elected in this year’s local elections, has listed the demand for a local market as one of the primary issues he will address in his new term representing the area.

When asked, Councillor Hussain admitted that the market was ‘a vital part of our local economy and community spirit’, and that its absence has caused issues, but they hoped they could ‘resolve these and use the station car park as a community market hub once again.’

‘I would like to see the return of a market with an expanded offering, creating more opportunities for local vendors and artisans.’

Hussain also said that the council are also working on combatting fly-tipping, install more bollards to deter pavement parking and put more age friendly benches around the area.

Whilst the original market’s future remains in doubt, it has been affirmed that local residents, creators and sellers will have a place to visit in Levenshulme.