Celebrity chef Simon Rimmer is to be the ambassador for Bolton Market.
Established chef and restaurateur, Simon is well known for his culinary talents and entrepreneurial skill, and is a popular television presenter and owner of the highly successful vegetarian restaurant Greens in West Didsbury, and Earle in Hale.
And he is now set to be the famous face of one of Britain’s oldest and most acclaimed markets. Bolton Market, which was crowned Best Food Market in BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards 2011, is undergoing a £4.5 million refurbishment that is close to completion.
Rimmer will use his expertise and experience to help traders maximise business opportunities, and achieve their full potential, and will meet market businesses for the first time when he attends the official reopening of Bolton Market’s new lifestyle hall on Friday14 February.
Multi-million pound market revamp
The centrepiece of the multi-million pound market revamp is the hall, formerly known as the indoor miscellaneous market. It now has a brand new modern layout with a central food court area. Around a third of the 40 businesses in the hall are new, with traders including a micro-pub, Great Ale Year Round, and The Coffee Grind, a coffee bean company.
Some businesses have started trading but work is still underway and will be completed in time for the launch on 14 February.
Other improvements that are taking place as part of the refurbishment include the construction of a new outdoor market.
The open market will move from its current location to New Street, on the opposite side of the market building, closer to the planned Transport Interchange. This is planned to be in place by the end of February.
Master classes
As part of his work, the chef will be hosting master classes with traders and sharing his wealth of industry knowledge to help them succeed. Simon said:
“I’m a massive advocate of fresh, local produce and passionate about shopping local so I was more than happy to become Bolton Market’s ambassador. Bolton is very fortunate in that it has a fantastic market, and I wanted to get involved in promoting what really is the jewel in Bolton’s crown. I visited Bolton Market a few years ago and was really impressed then by what I saw. I think now with this refurbishment it will be even better.
Attracting the next generation of shoppers
“I think there is this perception that much older people shop at markets but what Bolton is trying to do with the new hall is attract the next generation of shoppers, which should be shouted about. I’m looking forward to working with the traders in the months ahead.”
About Bolton Market
Bolton Market opened in the 1930s and is one of Britain’s oldest food markets. The market has a growing reputation as the premier food market in the north of England.
It has won a number of awards including Best Food Market in the BBC Radio 4 Food and Farming Awards 2011; Best Indoor Market 2010; and Tourism Retailer of the Year 2009.
Up to three million people visit the market annually. The indoor and outdoor market is open Tuesday and Thursday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm.