In addition to the new market hall, the Fettlers redevelopment will boast more than 400 homes, leisure facilities, bars, restaurants, a public square and a hotel.
In April 2026, it was announced that Wigan Council would take over the running of the market hall from the Northern Lights Group.
Earlier this month, Wigan Council met with trader representatives, who have told Radio Manchester they will be offered space elsewhere in the town centre if they cannot be accommodated within the new building.
Anthony Ainscough, who has run the Vacuum Repairs stall at Wigan Indoor Market for 40 years, said: “We’re not guaranteed a stall … you’ve got to apply for it, and I don’t know what I’ll be offered, so I can’t really decide whether to move elsewhere in Wigan town centre.”
The 62-year-old stallholder explained: “Having a shop is a different ball game because you’ve got to get customers through the front door, whereas in a good market you have passing trade.”
Some traders have said the construction site for the new Fettlers shopping centre had left the existing market hall isolated on the edge of the town centre.
Wigan Council has provided rent reductions to help traders cope with reduced footfall.
Kathleen Leigh, whose family has operated the Clunan’s food stall for more than a century, said: “We are a market and we need each other, so only having 21 stalls in the new building is a bit of a concern.
“I think they’re wanting a cafe, like a Starbucks or a Costa, on the entrance to the new market hall and I’m not sure that’s fair, if they haven’t got room for the traders.”