Music trader of 50 years says Leigh 'needs to stay as a market town'

After working in Leigh market and various other trading spots around the north west for fifty years, Ken still sets up his outdoor music stall every Friday on Bradshawgate.

Selling a collection of CDs and cassettes that spans decades and genres, Ken said that he has witnessed the decline of Leigh town centre and feels that the town needs to lean on its market heritage in order to thrive in the modern era.

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A popular outdoor market used to be located opposite the town hall (Image: Wigan and Leigh Archives)
Ken, who wished to only give his first name, said: "It has been tough for everyone in the markets and on the high street, and it does feel like Leigh is dying at times.

"It used to be chocker on the market with stalls all the way down Bradshawgate, and the outdoor market used to be so busy too. But there is barely any outdoor traders now.

"Lots of town centres have changed but Leigh feels like one of the last market towns and it needs to stay this way.

"The higher-ups [at the council] need to take note of this, promote the market and keep its tradition."

The former Leigh Market Hall in 1968 (Image: Wigan and Leigh Archives)
Leigh Market is believed to have been in existence as early as 1500, with the first modern outdoor market built outside the town hall in the early twentieth century.

Traders later moved to Leigh Road and Gas Street and the market hall which houses traders today was erected in 1989.

In recent years, customers and traders have complained about the building falling into disrepair and Wigan Council has included the refurbishment of the market hall in its £11.7m Levelling Up plans.

Wigan Council has committed to refurbishing Leigh Market in its regeneration plans (Image: Wigan Council)
Despite the multi-million-pound plans, Ken said he was sceptical that they will be enough to bring the vibrancy of the market in times gone by.

Nevertheless, as he is "passionate about music and love[s] to meet the nice people of Leigh", Ken said he will continue setting up his stall and playing his tunes for many Fridays to come.