NEW SHOPPING CENTRE.
A COVERED MARKET FOR ST. ANNES.

Considerable Interest will be taken in the announcement in this issue that St.Annes is to have a first-class public market. A limited company has been formed, under the name of Lytham. St.Annes Mart, Ltd., and has erected a handsome building with a terra-cotta front in St. David's Road South, a locality which is easily accessible as a shopping centre. Accommodation is provided inside the building for over one hundred stalls, and there are lock-up shops on the north side and facing St. David's Road South. A feature is the up- to-date system of ventilation, which will ensure ideal conditions for the sale of perishable articles

The directors have secured the services as market inspector of Mr. Jackson, late inspetor of Altrincham Market, which is one of the most successful public markets in the North of England.

At an interview with Mr. Jackson we were informed that there has been a great demand for stalls and shops from all parts of the country, which in itself indicates' the future success of the new venture, and a spirit of keen competition, which is one of the essential features of a public market.

St. Annes will have in the future all the advantages of a market in which stallholders have not to pay enormous establishment charges, and which means a benefit to the purchaser. Hitherto the nearest, market has been Blackpool, and has not attracted many customers from Lytham St. Annes, for the reason that the cost, and inconvenience of travelling backward and forward outweigh the saving which otherwise would be effected.
The new market, we understand, will he open every ,day from Monday to Saturday, and the opening date is fixed, for Monday next, the 24th July.



St. Annes new shopping centre—the spacious, cleanly, well-lighted and covered market in St. David's Road South—is becoming more and more appreciated week by week, and daily a steady stream of the gentler sex can be seen with their baskets going to market. At first many people were attracted by curiosity and novelty, but now they are becoming buyers.

The market offers all the advantages of shopping in one of the great emporiums, which is the latest method of retail trading. with the added advantage of competitive prices. Under the one roof are gathered a large number of stalls, on which are offered for sale all kinds of merchandise. Here and there are stalls displaying farm produce direct from farmer to consumer, whilst there is great variety in wearing apparel. Fruit and vegetables are brought direct from the wholesale markets and in some cases direct from the grower. The market therefore offers the discerning housewife opportunity to fill many of her needs with much economy in time, money mid labour.

The building, whirls is nearing completion, is owned by a limited company. It has a handsome front elevation in terracotta. fronted by sixteen lock-up shops, each being accessible from the interior or exterior. There are two entrances—the main entrance from St. David's Road South and a side entrance from Alexandra Road West. The building is airy, well-lighted by glass and also by electricity. An up-to-date system of ventilation has been adopted to ensure ideal conditions for perishable articles. and the sanitation and cleanliness of the whole buildings are highly efficient. The architect is Mr. Arnold England. and the contractors Messrs. Keenan, Parker and Yates; Ltd.

The main entrance leads through an entrance hall direct into the market, which has a total floor space of nearly 160 square yards: There are five rows of stalls, of which over 60 are already occupied.

People familiar with markets in inland towns will appreciate the high standard set by the new St.Annes Market, which is me of the finest buildings of its kind in the County. Very often inland markets consist of a small market hall with a large rear space in the open air, on which stalls are erected, and produce and merchandise are subject to climatic conditions. Often, too, here are flare lamps with their disagreeable odour. The market at St. Annes is the exact opposite of such conditions. In the design and construction the chief aim has been to secure cleanliness and perfect ventilation and sanitation. An inspection of the building reveals that in these important matters success has been attained.

The market inspector is Mr. Jackson, late inspector of Altrincham Market, and he is enthusiastic about the excellence of the building.

Markets are of ancient origin, and like most survivals of the medieval period, they afford many public advantages. Their age may be said to be proof of their value, and the greater freedom with which goods can be inspected and handled adds in no small measure to their popularity. Since the rise in prices markets have flourished with renewed vigour. The cheaper rentals end consequent lower rates have much to do with the interchange of goods for cash.

Hitherto the nearest markets have bean Blackpool and Preston, and the cost end inconvenience of travelling from St. Annes has outweighed any gain from visiting these markets.
The Lytham St. Annes Market is open daily from 9-0 a.m. to 8-0 p.m., Wednesdays included