A century-old market tradition in Brighouse looks set for change which could see it at the heart of the town’s shopping experience for generations to come.

Brighouse Open Market has been run by a private company, although on Calderdale Council land, for more than 100 years but current operator Northern Markets no longer wishes to do so.

But with the council, Calder Valley MP Craig Whittaker and ward councillors all seeing a bright future for the market, major changes in the offing are likely to rejuvenate it.

Calderdale Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, Coun Barry Collins (Lab, Illingworth and Mixenden) said this means the council now needs to consider a number of issues in relation to the market’s future, for example whether to find another operator or to manage it through the council’s own markets service.

Mr Whittaker said he had recently organised a meeting with the company operating the lease and council officers to try and agree a way forward with the right to run it reverting back to the council.

Both council and MP believe the market has a role to play in boosting Brighouse, the emphasis now turning to how best that can be done.

Mr Whittaker said: “The council now need to talk to the traders, residents and the different groups in Brighouse to create a vision for improving the market and using this to regenerate the town centre as a whole.”

Coun Collins said it was an exciting time for markets throughout Calderdale as they were at the heart of their respective communities and were one of the many things that made each of the borough’s towns distinctive.

The council is investing in markets to help them play an even bigger part in the economy and in people’s lives, he said.

“We’ve already made improvements to the markets in Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, and a major programme of investment is underway at Halifax Borough Market.

“Now we have a real opportunity to think about the future for Brighouse Open Market and we’ll work closely with the Brighouse Town Development Board and local councillors to consider a range of options.

“It’s a well-supported market which has a lot of potential,” said Coun Collins.

Brighouse ward Councillor Scott Benton said this was a great opportunity to finally improve the area around the market, which is at Ship Street.

“This space could be used for a variety of different uses and could act as a catalyst to regenerate this part of the town centre.

“We all calling on the council to work with local businesses, residents and councillors so that we can create plans for how to best use this area,” he said.

Caption – Calderdale Council logo