Dewsbury and
Cleckheaton markets

The refurbished market hall at Dewsbury market.

BBC Look North presenter Harry Gratian joins the celebrations of Dewsbury market being named best market in Britain.

The cafe at Dewsbury market.

Celebrating Yorkshire Day - one of many special events held at Dewsbury market.

Dewsbury and Cleckheaton markets are examples of very successful markets operated by Kirkless Council in two Yorkshire Towns.

Dewsbury Market, with more than 350 stalls, is the biggest market in Yorkshire – and this year it beat 50 rivals to be officially named best market in Britain by the National Association of British Market Authorities.
At the heart of the market is the Edwardian market hall, which has recently undergone a £2 million refurbishment and has 36 stalls, selling a range of goods from foods to clothes and household items. It opens five-and-a-half days a week (half-day Tuesday).

Next door is the open market with 320 stalls, which opens on Wednesday and Saturday as a general market, Fridays as a secondhand ‘flea’ market and Sundays as a car boot sale.

Chris Cotton, the market’s operations manager, said that keeping the market traditional, but renewing it with investment to ensure it kept completely up to date with modern regulations was a key to its success.
“We serve a multi-cultural community, so the variety of stalls is important,” he said. “The wide choice of food stalls is also a key to the market’s success.”
As well as serving the local community, Dewsbury market is also a tourist attraction, with bus trips from all over the country.
“We have held various events throughout the year to promote the market, including Yorkshire Day, Dewsbury-on-Sea and an Onion Fair,” said Chris Cotton. “We also held an event to celebrate winning the market of the year award which was screened on the Look North news programme.”
For more information on Dewsbury Market go to weblink: Dewsbury Market

Big investment in Cleckheaton market

A £250,000 programme of public investment has transformed Cleckheaton's traditional market, with improvements to the market hall and also public realm improvements to the outside market area. Cleckheaton is a town on the outskirts of Bradford which has a strong local identity with a strong preponderance of locally-owned businesses. It boasts the largest Indian restaurant in the country - the Aakash.

A pdf with details of the programme of improvements (the image on the right is one page) is available for download at: Cleckheaton market improvements Clekheaton market after refurbishment (above and below)