Building of the Year!

Ashton under Lyne Civic Society has awarded its coveted "Building of the Year" award for 2008 to Ashton Market Hall.

The aim of the Civic Society's award is primarily to draw public attention to developments that are making a positive contribution to the town's built environment. The award is often given to buildings that have not been in the spotlight but on this occasion it was felt that the Market Hall plays such an important part in the life of the town that this imaginative reconstruction deserved the accolade.

The photo shows Councillor Jackie Lane (Heritage) and Councillor Keiran Quinn (Economic Services) receiving a plaque commemorating the award from Civic Society Chairman Susan Knight (on the right). Looking on are members of the Civic Society and representatives from Tameside Council.

The Market Hall was re-opened on November 28th 2008 after being gutted by fire in May 2004.

Previous winners of the award include the Oddfellows Hall on Stamford Street, Harper Mill on Mossley Road, Wellington Court on Adam Street and 225 Old Street in the St Petersfield development.