THE new operator of Crewe Market Hall says it has fielded significant interest from traders in taking up stalls.

Market Asset Management - which took over the running of the market at the end of last year as a £3 million rebuild drew to a conclusion - has revealed it has found tenants for the majority of the 22 permanent stalls inside the new lay-out.

As it appealed for expressions of interest from greengrocers, cheesemongers and butchers for the market's remaining food outlets, the operator announced the latest traders who will be setting up shop in the hall.

Eco-friendly home and gift boutique business Wattle & Home and family-run Jordy's Pizza have joined Mini Beans Coffee and bar operators The Crewe Dog inside the revamped hall.

The lockdown has forced Market Asset Management to review its plans and although it is still looking at an Easter re-opening, commercial director Hayden Ferriby stressed: "Our priority is keeping our visitors, traders and staff safe and we may need to postpone this until the situation with Covid-19 is more positive, with fewer restrictions in place.

"We are in discussions with Cheshire East Council and all traders who have signed up. We look forward to welcoming the Crewe community once it is safe to do so."

Market Asset Management has pledged to make the Market Hall "the go-to venue to eat, drink, shop and socialise".

Street food vendors, a bar and live music are planned to complement the traditional market fare.

The change in emphasis has proved an attraction to new traders keen on moving in helped by a discounted rent structure. It is understood that in the first year of tenancy there will be a 30 per cent reduction in stall rents, some of which are set at £100 a week, dropping to 10 per cent reductions in the third year.

Cheshire East's Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration Cllr Nick Mannion said: "The redevelopment of Crewe Market Hall is a key part of our plans to regenerate Crewe town centre and the building's transformation has been truly fantastic to watch.

"It is clearly our wish, and that of our operator, that we reopen the hall as soon as possible so that Crewe's residents and visitors to the town can start to enjoy all that will be on offer, including the fantastic range of new traders that are lined up.

"However, I would like to reiterate that this must be done with public safety in mind and we will continue to monitor the situation regarding the pandemic."

Among the new traders is Jordy's Pizza owner, Jordan Hassall, who said: "As soon as I heard about it (Market Hall) and saw the plans, I wanted to be a part of it.

"We started five years ago, and we have built up a fantastic local following from our pizza trucks at lots of different events.

"I have been waiting for a while for the right opportunity to open a permanent indoor place to have alongside our mobile catering business and the Market Hall looks perfect for us."

Wattle & Home says it offers handpicked collections "perfectly curated for mindful living and thoughtful giving". Its owner Hannah Sharkey said: "My aim is to promote UK based designers and makers and I hope that I can inspire the community to support small businesses by shopping local."

The Crewe Dog will be run by the owner of Northwich live music pub The Salty Dog, Chris Mundie, who aims to bring a "brilliant selection of craft beers and extensive experience in running bars and entertainment venues".

He said: "We are really looking forward to opening up in Crewe and bringing the best craft beer and real ale selection we can, the project looks amazing so far."

To find out more about the trading opportunities email [email protected]