Page 23 - MarketTimesAugust2015
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  Market Times • August 2015
NEWS
Student grant award goes to Northern Ireland
 THE annual NMTF/Harry Cross Student Grant has been awarded to the son of a Belfast St George’s market trader.
Philip Kelly, 20, who is currently studying Technology with Design with Diploma in Professional Practice at the University of Ulster, was awarded £500.
The grant was introduced in 1997 in memory of Harry Cross, a well- known pitcher who was a former NMTF President. The award comes from interest received from contributions made by Harry’s family, the NMTF itself, and Stockport and
Fairs branches.
To be eligible applicants must be in
at least their second term at college. Philip is the son of Cathy McErlean, and from time to time he has helped out at her bakery goods stall at St
George’s.
He has already travelled extensively
in Europe, and he says he expects that travel bug to return after he graduates in 2017.
“I’d then like to spend a year abroad studying engineering, as well as learn and develop another language,” he said.
He is planning to use the award to
learn to drive for his placement year with a company that starts in September.
Picture shows Philip receiving the
cheque from Cathy Mclaverty, Belfast branch Treasurer, and national Executive Board member Paddy Lynn.
 Bury Market wins top award from TripAdvisor
THE latest accolade awarded to Bury Market has come from the world’s largest travel site TripAdvisor.
It has given the town’s famous market a Certificate of Excellence for 2015 after the tourist attraction achieved a guest rating of 4.5 with over 244 reviews, putting it among the very best.
TripAdvisor say this is a testament to the high standards on the market, and say the award “is given only to the most exceptional performers in TripAdvisor’s global business community” and “is a significant achievement deserving of recognition from both travellers and staff”.
Councillor Sandra Walmsley, cabinet member for resource and regulation, said: “We are delighted
that so many visitors have given such positive feedback via TripAdvisor and we hope that will encourage
many more people to come to Bury and enjoy our unique market’s atmosphere for themselves.”
  New market will be at heart of Preston regeneration
MARKET traders are being consulted over plans for a new market at the heart of the regeneration of Preston city centre.
The Markets Quarter development
aims to improve and enhance Preston markets with a new market and “game-changing” cinemas.
Coun Peter Rankin, leader of Preston City Council, said: “The
markets are important to Preston and a key part of the city’s culture and heritage. So we want to invest in the markets and provide a new market that is better for customers and traders alike.”
Coun Rankin said that Preston was fast becoming one of northern England’s brightest development hotspots through the £430 million City Deal and other major investments including those at the busy station and Preston Guild Hall.
There was interest in the former Post Office building which was being marketed for hotel and leisure development, he added.
“City centres have to offer much more than ever before,” he said. “It’s no longer just about shopping. It’s about vibrancy, uniqueness, culture, heritage, events, food and drink and things to do.”
County Coun Jennifer Mein, leader
of Lancashire County Council, said her authority was fully behind the regeneration project.
“It is essential that we continue to create the conditions for the city and the surrounding area to flourish, and this new development will be a key part of that,” she said.
Jim Carter, chair of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal Executive, said: “There is already a great deal of investment going into the city centre, including the funding the Enterprise Partnership is putting into improving the main shopping areas, but the Markets Quarter development is a significant step forward.”
The consultation with market traders over the final plans are continuing, and the council aims to seek planning permission for the redevelopment in late 2015 or early 2016.
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