The ‘next big thing’ Lancashire town thriving while neighbour battles closures

For years, one town on the outskirts of Greater Manchester has become the poster child for trendy resurgence.

A stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of the city, yet right on the edge of the picturesque Rossendale Valley, Ramsbottom has been booming. The former mill town became a haven for food and drink lovers.

It earned a reputation for quality dining, with highly rated restaurants adding to the choice of bars to make for a great night out. However, a spate of sudden closures of beloved pubs and restaurants has hit the town hard, with the likes of The Levanter, Baratxuri, Chocolate Café and The Hearth of the Ram all closing down.

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Residents and businesses told the MEN rocketing costs and reduced footfall have had a devastating impact on small businesses. Addressing the bleak state of the high street across the UK, the owners of Levanter said they had been left ‘so squeezed we cannot breathe or see a single sunlit upland’.

Kerry Khan, the owner of gift shop Hearts for Homes, said: “Since Christmas, it’s been very quiet. In the past you might have had a couple of bad days but it was a blip. That’s now become the norm. There’s not as many people in Ramsbottom. I’m aware people might have less money to spend and that’s certainly a factor.”

But ask the people of Ramsbottom where people are going and many will point you in one direction. Ten minutes down the road in Rawtenstall. As its neighbour struggles with bars and restaurants closing down, an East Lancashire town appears to be enjoying a relative boom.

The town is the biggest in the Rossendale borough, and while it is perhaps best known for an often mispronounced name and the North West’s largest outdoor ski slope, it has plenty going for it.

Walking through the centre, there is a clear lack of empty shop units. It’s a problem which seems to blight most towns of this size and yet business appears to be booming. The cobbled streets feature an impressive number of independent businesses, offering everything from homeware, fruit and vegetables, gifts, cakes and flowers to charity shops and boutiques. And when you’re done shopping, there’s ample opportunity to visit a deli, bar or salon.

With stone cottages, terraced houses and a setting in rolling countryside hills, there’s an undeniable charm to the place. The work done to maintain its appearance has recently been recognised with Rawtenstall chosen to represent the North West in the upcoming Britain in Bloom contest.

That positivity appears to be being matched with new investment and the town’s future could look even brighter despite the nationwide economic situation. The bus station has recently seen the opening of two new businesses, including furniture store Posh Living Which has relocated from Bolton. The new shop joins the already established Coffee Bagel and fellow newcomer Pizzaman’s, which is owned by the same family who run the nearby A’Vucciria.

Meanwhile, the revival of the town’s 117-year-old market will continue to grow amid multi-million pound investment. Funding from the government’s Levelling Up scheme will see a major transformation and the historic building will be repaired, restored and redesigned.

The retail offering will be largely moved to the outside section, while the inside will house a large central bar and a selection of eateries all around the outside. Overseen by Play Market Management, who have already significantly boosted occupancy, the transformation will mirror those of Altrincham and Southport which have seen significant boosts by modernising the offering.

Inez Kamecka has a stall outside the market selling homemade breads and she believes the town is on the up. She said: “I’ve been at the market two years, it’s changed a lot in that time. Before, it was looking really old and it’s more refreshed now”

Inez moved to the UK from Poland 12 years ago and has lived in various parts of the country, most recently Doncaster. She says her current location is definitely her favourite.

“It’s a really nice place here, the people are very friendly. You can speak to people in any shop and they’re never rude. You can chat to everyone, people are really friendly here.

Inside the market, Lorraine Anyakwo is another who travels in from outside and believes things are looking positive. “They are doing a lot of activity,” she said. “There’s a lot going on and it’s really good.”

Speak to anyone at the market and they’ll be sure to mention Foodie Fridays – the monthly event which sees the arrival of food stalls and live music and brings huge crowds to the historic venue.

Meanwhile, there seems to be a very different picture emerging in Ramsbottom. The owners of Levanter blamed the bleak state of the high street, which it said had left them ‘so squeezed we cannot breathe or see a single sunlit upland.’ That closure then sparked concerns among other small businesses.

Stuart Rothwell, the owner of The Vineyard wine shop, told the Manchester Evening News: “When Levanter went it was a proper shock,” said Mr Rothwell. “We have so many customers that have moved here for the vibrant shops and eateries. People are upset and down but you just have to get on with it.

“It’s happening everywhere, it’s not just Ramsbottom. We have got to be careful. We’re seeing prices go up all the time. It’s a fact of life though.”

Despite the short term pain, he remains optimistic that the town’s fortunes will come good again. He said: “I think it will come back round. Ramsbottom 30 years ago was totally different to what it is now. It’s changed for the better.”

Back in Rawtenstall, Lindsey Rawson has joined the management team which is leading the market’s transformation and believes the town is booming. She told LancsLive she knows of various Manchester businesses which are looking at the town as a worthwhile location, while those who operate here and in similar towns are realising this is the more viable option.

“It’s huge,” she said. “It’s the next big thing. In Manchester, people are discovering the end of the motorway. People are discovering the 20 minute bus route.”

Lindsey herself is so sold on the town that she’s planning a move to nearby Loveclough and says Rawtenstall is attracting young people to move thanks to lower house prices.

While she speaks passionately about the market’s development, she is also positive about developments in the wider town centre.

“Bank Street is really busy,” she said. “It’s got amazing cafes, it’s got restaurants, bars that are busy. You’ve got Northern Whisper – he’s got a branch in Rammy and is realising it is doing better here.

“People are wanting to be premises here but Bank Street is full, there’s no empty shops. You don’t get that in most places.”

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