Published June 17, 2020 at 8:04
A new operations and managerial team is being sought for Rawtenstall Market to take over from Jane Boys.
Jane, who retired after 30 years in clinical nursing management in the NHS, had a vision of how the traditional market could be reinvented to attract a new audience, having already grown a popular artisan Clog Market in Rawtenstall Town Square.
She took on the managerial role for a year and, with the help of a team especially ‘Mrs Toolbox’ Jacs Barker-Rourke, she made it her own overseeing the transformation of both the indoor and outdoor markets by removing some stalls to open up both areas and remove dark corridors.
The tenure would have been up in May this year; however the lockdown meant the tender for a replacement to manage and operate the market had to be put on hold.
Jane said:
I have received over 1000 emails and messages of genuine support from strangers and had people drive past the market, beep their car horn and just give me the thumbs up and a big smile. That’s been wonderful.
I feel it’s a superb opportunity for someone to join the market and continue the development much further.
The market requires a longer term business plan and a team approach and I’ll do all I can to support the new team. I personally would be delighted for the market to remain an inclusive, vibrant, community market. It’s a place of social history and the keeper of stories.”
Rossendale Council leader Councillor Alyson Barnes said:
The transformation that Jane Boys and her team have made to Rawtenstall Market has been evident for all to see.
The resulting increase in shopper numbers is proof that her ideas have worked and, as a council, we are delighted that this innovative partnership has proved to be such a success.
We are grateful to Jane and the team for staying on while the council seeks a new operational manager to take over the tender for the market.
It is hoped that the successful candidate will be able to build on the improvements Jane has made since she took over and continue to ensure the market is a busy and thriving place to shop.”
The revitalised market hit its targets within the first four months and the stall occupancy rate of 50 per cent was transformed to full with 10-20 artisan traders joining the market on Saturdays, prior to the lockdown.
Although Covid-19 forced markets to close, in May a one-way safe distancing system was introduced so the indoor market could reopen for food stalls.
At the 2019 Rossendale Business Awards, Jane and the market traders won the top trophy – the Valley at Work Award for the most inspirational business.
Tenders for the management and operation of Rawtenstall Market are now being invited, and completed applications must be submitted to Rossendale Council by August 14 2020. The tender can be found on the Rossendale Borough Council website at:
https://www.rossendale.gov.uk/downloads/download/11330/invitation_to_tender_rawtenstall_market
For enquiries, please contact Guy Darragh on (01706) 252568.