THE new man in charge at a Stretford shopping centre has launched a search for new businesses to move into the shopping centre's historic market hall after a major refit is completed.

Gareth Wilkins has just been appointed centre manager at Stretford Mall, and he wasted no time in setting out his vision to bring in more traders, and keep building a vibrant destination for shoppers in the heart of the town.

Work started on June 21 on building 16 new units in the market hall area, in a £30,000 project designed to attract more small businesses to the mall.

Gareth said he is looking for an exciting mix of businesses to rent the new market hall units, from those selling groceries and deli produce, to more specialised stalls selling arts and crafts.

He said: "There's a great opportunity here for a broad and diverse offer in the market hall. We've already got some tenants who are quite quirky, like the new vinyl stall Reel Around the Fountain Records.

"It would be great to complement that with some more niche products like some arts and crafts. I would also really like to see a grocers in there, and perhaps some other food, to complement the existing butcher's."

The market hall was a key part of the original Stretford Arndale when it opened in April 1969, and in 2011 featured in the opening scenes of a film called Theatre of Dreams about the life of football legend Sir Matt Busby.

The market hall is home to Stretford Mall's longest standing businesses, including butchers N. Wrigley, and clothing stall Sofi's.

Gareth has a background managing retail and department stores including 13 years at Debenhams in and around London, and eight years with the Home Retail Group in Lincolnshire, where he moved after marrying his wife, Jill.

He intends to draw on that experience at Stretford, while building on the previous work of outgoing centre manager Colin McCrory, who is retiring.