TRADERS say they are delighted with the chance to be part of Crewe Market Hall's new direction.

The Earle Street venue reopened today (Wednesday) after a £3 million revamp by Cheshire East Council and under new operators who are focusing on a food hall model to complement retail outlets as well as live music and community events.

A queue formed outside the hall for its 9.30 opening time and market goers will have plenty of time to savour the food and drinks on offer as closing times extend into the evening on four of its five opening days.

Covid safety has been a high priority and capacity based on table seating is in place along with mask wearing and social distancing. A test event for friends and families was held last night to help ensure the first day of trading went smoothly.

Chris McCaughran, events and animation manager with operators, Market Asset Management, says he has been enthused by the community spirit of the businesses that have taken up stall space, which chime with the ethos of the venue which he hopes will become a meeting point for the town.

A mouth-watering variety of food outlets, including those serving up burgers, mexican food, pizza and a range of coffees, have been joined among others by an expanding craft beer outlet, a gents' barber, an Asian food retailer and gift shops.

"The feedback has been amazing and there have been lots of smiles. We had a queue of about 10 people form about half past nine and everyone when they came in and looked around could see that wow factor," said Chris.

"We've got the street food element on one side and we've got the retail side, but everyone is working so harmoniously. Everyone is helping each each other, even though they are individual businesses they are operating as one.

"It's back to the old days of the market and the High Streets - there is something for everyone."

Several of the businesses have seized on the opportunity to move indoors after time out on the road. Like Steve Daniels, who has teamed up with his wife, Maria, at Mini Beans Coffee.

Previously, Congleton-based Steve ran his business from a horsebox, but now he has hired three staff to help him and his partner offer a range of speciality grade coffees, all ethically sourced.

He said: "The pandemic has meant we haven't been able to attend events so we needed a plan B. When a friend of ours showed a Facebook ad about the opportunity here in Crewe we jumped at it.

"This has exceeded our expectations and people have been really encouraging. Coffee is so popular these days and we want to provide a good offer and be known as the place to come to in Crewe."

Former software engineer Teja Vaddala decided on a career change to open up Crewe Asian Store as he was fed up of hearing how the local Asian community were having to travel far afield for specialist produce.

"I want to serve local people as there is a growing Asian community in Crewe, but a lot of them are going to Stoke and Manchester just to get their groceries," he said.

"Even myself, and I've been in Crewe a long time, but I am going to Stoke every Sunday. I want to provide the best spices and products that are available in Asia in Crewe.

"We've got all the stock from different places in India and Pakistan. It took two months and because of Covid we've still got a container stuck in the middle of somewhere. But we're going to have milk, cheese, yoghurt from middle of next week.

"I want to do something different and I love the concept here. There are lots of different things for all the family, and they can spend a couple of hours in the hall - this place looks really positive."

The Market Hall's bar is being run by the owner of Northwich-based The Salty Dog, Chris Mundie, who has been able to lend his expertise on the live music front, although the Crewe Dog's focus will be delivering an extensive range of craft beers for the discerning as well as casual drinker.

Louis Delaney, manager of The Crewe Dog, said: "The turnout has been a lot better than we expected. We're grateful for everyone coming down and hope this continues.

"We are an extension of the Salty Dog ethos but with a more craft beer take on it. We're trying to push those boundaries and be a destination for that.

"At the moment we've got a 3% table beer, a 10% sour and 135 stouts in the fridges. We're trying to cover every base so everyone who likes beer, and who likes craft, should have something here for them.

"Blood, sweat and tears has gone into the bar and we're glad everyone has come down to enjoy it."

Jessica Martindale is relishing the chance to put her burger catering business on terra firma after years of traipsing the festival circuit.

Jessica, who runs Mighty Burger Club with Dale King-Evans, said: "We used to do events catering but because of Covid we've branched out and we saw the opportunity to come here.

"We love it, it's a great opportunity and the hall is really nice. I used to do a lot of the big festivals but I was fed up of being knee deep in mud."

Everyone at the Market Hall is crossing their fingers that the next stage of the government's roadmap on June 21 will enable capacity to be expanded, although several events, including quiz nights and a record fair on June 13 have been planned ahead of that key date on social distancing rules.

"We have to measure it and even when we go to the next stage of the roadmap we will always count the numbers," stressed events manager, Chris. "At the moment everyone has to be seated, it is a capacity of the tables.

"At the next stage of the road map it will be seated and standing."

And for those interested in taking the plunge into market life the market chief revealed three units are still in need of tenants.

"We've got a florist opening soon and we've got two units on the food retail side and still a street food retail left to go. But I'm sure soon as people have come inside there is going to be a lot of interest generated," he added.