Regeneration Unit was drafted in to provide her
Action Group In the Community. A Business Plan was
assist us provide this facility and this was agreed in July
The Business Plan was submitted in competition with
would provide the greatest benefits to Heywood and its
people. Heywood MAGIC Development Trust took over
variety of products has varied, and its profile lifted.
Many of the Traders are now long established and help
well as initial favourable rent terms to help them become
virtually full, planning permission was sought for outside
we are looking to use now to help people into work. In
that this has been achieved. As a start up Company, the
delayed due to planning permission problems and the
and that they received favourable terms to help them
recently have provided the Traders with additional
a Community Trust Market - so we must be doing
Whilst we are very proud of what we have achieved we
recognise we could not have done this without the help
successful and provide a Community facility for
a variety of stalls and we are asking the people of
Heywood MAGIC Development Trust Ltd
Market made up of Traders, Township Councillors and members of the Community. The Senior Bank Manager/Project Manager remained involved to assist with the bid and Julie Betteridge from RMBC Regeneration Unit was drafted in to provide her expertise.
The Trust was called MAGIC which stood for Market Action Group In the Community. A Business Plan was developed to illustrate how we could run the Market profitably and a redundant canteen and shops at the Market were identified as a potential as a Community,
The Trust applied for New Deal and ERDF funding to assist us provide this facility and this was agreed in July 2002 subject to us being successful with the Market bid. This much needed resource in Heywood was a key part of the Trust’s bid to run the Market and without it we would probably not have been successful.
The Business Plan was submitted in competition with other Market Operators. After initially losing, due to our bid not being the most monetary rewarding to RMBC,
the decision was reversed on the basis that our bid would provide the greatest benefits to Heywood and its people. Heywood MAGIC Development Trust took over the management of the Market in December 2002.
In respect of the Markets aims these have all been fully achieved, current trader occupancy is approximately 90% at a time when many other markets are failing. The variety of products has varied, and its profile lifted.
Many of the Traders are now long established and help and guidance has been given to them along the way as well as initial favourable rent terms to help them become
Traders have been vetted carefully to prevent duplication of stalls to ensure we do not get new Traders at the expense of our existing Traders. As the Market was virtually full, planning permission was sought for outside stalls which were eventually obtained. It is these stalls we are looking to use now to help people into work. In addition the Job Centre was allocated a stall on the Market at a reduced rent and it is understood that
The Trust has always made sure that the Market has traded profitably in its own right, and the Board is proud that this has been achieved. As a start up Company, the Board has to be prudent with these profits and build reserves to cover eventualities, but it is aware of its
John Rhodes our Market Officer has been tasked as a priority to fill the outside stalls. The launch of these was delayed due to planning permission problems and the previous Manager leaving. However, his remit was to advertise and develop these stalls. At that time we ensured that priority was given to New Deal Residents and that they received favourable terms to help them become established. An in house course was also be
In addition the Board went into partnership with the Traders Committee and agreed to 50% of the costs of a 20,000 leaflet drop in Heywood, Bamford and Norden in an effort to increase footfall and awareness, and more recently have provided the Traders with additional marketing budget to contribute towards the cost of advertising the Market on the local radio station Revolution Radio.
Wolverhampton seeking our views as to how to operate a Community Trust Market – so we must be doing something right.
Whilst we are very proud of what we have achieved we recognise we could not have done this without the help of the public of Heywood and our funders. In this respect the MAGIC Board wishes to thank the public and both our funders, New Heart for Heywood and ERDF for the support they have given.
Additionally for the confidence they have had in us, as without that support this success story would not have been possible. We have facilities here second to none, it is the Boards’ continued aim to keep the Market successful and provide a Community facility for
The Market has changed and improved significantly over the last four years. It is now clean, bright and vibrant with a variety of stalls and we are asking the people of Heywood to come and have a look – we think you will like what you see. The Market is open Tuesday, Friday and Saturday – it’s your Market – it’s the Communities Market come and give us a try.
of stalls and we are asking the people of
