ON the morning on Friday, January 3, onlookers stood stunned as they watched the outdoor market go up in flames.

Thoughts immediately turned to the traders – eight small businesses whose stock and workplace was destroyed in a matter of hours.

Fundraisers and appeals were immediately set up, and traders were offered space in the neighbouring indoor market, but some were left facing unexpected start-up expenses.

Ever since the dramatic scenes which left the market a condemned shell, Iain Stead and a team of volunteers have been working tirelessly and selflessly behind the scenes to help stallholders get back on their feet.

“It has been a challenge, certainly – I’ve not got much sleep in the past few weeks,” said Iain ahead of the event on Saturday, February 1.

Northwich Guardian:

The mammoth task of assembling scores of musicians to play in around 30 Northwich venues would usually take months, but time is of the essence.

Iain said: “I popped into the market on Tuesday and there are only two [former outdoor stallholders] trading there. I understand that the council are working hard and things are in place, but it takes a bit of time to make it happen.

“This is still an urgent appeal to help people get back on their feet.

“It’s really heartwarming to see the response we have had. The whole thing has been a bit of a whirlwind and it won’t be until afterwards that I can stop and take it all in.

“It’s been a big slog, a team effort from quite a few people behind the scenes to make it all happen. We will have quite a lot going on on the day.

“If half the people who have said they are going turn up, we will have a great day.”

Northwich Guardian:

From humble beginnings as a benefit concert featuring a dozen acts at Winnington Park Recreation Club, the fundraiser has spread across all areas of Northwich – with artists, venues and residents alike all wanting to play their part.

“Within 20 minutes I had 20 people saying they would play,” Iain said. “That’s when we said we would paint the town with music.”

Entry to all venues on the day will be free, with every penny from bucket collections and bar takings at the Plaza going towards the fund.

There will be music and street events from before noon until late – a remarkable feat considering the short turnaround from the event’s inception to delivery.

“We are really pleased with the line-up,” Iain said. “As with all events like this, we will have some last minute tweaks.

“It’s taken a lot of organisation, and a lot of it was very unexpected. We didn’t expect to be where we are, and it’s been very spontaneous.

“It’s been a wonderful experience and I’m really looking forward to Saturday.”

IN FULL: Venues and artists for Saturday's fundraiser

THE PLAZA

  • Noon – Official opening with town mayor Cllr Kevin Rimmer
  • 12.15pm – The Chain
  • 1.45pm – Harley and Dutch
  • 3pm – Bitter and Twisted
  • 4pm – Your Illuminations
  • 5.30pm – Codswallop
  • 6.30pm – Matt McGurty
  • 8pm – We Are Aliens
  • 9pm – George Borowski and the Fabulous Wonderfuls

VINNIES

  • 2pm – Gem Craven

CRATE

  • 2.30pm – Mal Dino
  • 3.15pm – Spencer and Donna

KANYA

  • 3pm – Duo 22
  • 4pm – Richard Clough
  • 6.30pm – Christie Bretherton
  • 7.30pm – Chris Taveney

THE IRON BRIDGE

  • 2pm – The Purpletones
  • 3.30pm – Matt McGurty
  • 5.30 – The Volts
  • 7pm – Marc Gollins

THE SLOW AND EASY

  • 6pm – The Tank
  • 8pm – Beaver

WITTON CHIMES

  • 4pm – Salt Rox
  • 6.30pm – The Gus Glyn Band

THE BROKEN CROSS

  • 4pm – Gareth Heesom
  • 6pm – Darren Poyzer
  • 9pm – Chris Tavener

THE SALTHOUSE

  • 3.30pm – Andre
  • 5.15pm – Paul Parish
  • 7pm – Later

BENNY BINGS

  • 1.30pm – Andre
  • 2.30pm – Richard Clough
  • 3.30pm – Paul Parish

BARONS QUAY SOCIAL

  • 7pm – The Avenue
  • 8pm – Ande Blackshaw and Friends

ABDA

  • 1pm – Mal Dino
  • 2pm – Spencer and Donna
  • 3pm – Chris Nowell

COSTA COFFEE

  • 1pm – Tyson

RELISH

  • 6pm – Robin Feast
  • 7pm – Aaron Evans

ST HELEN WITTON CHURCH

  • Noon to 4pm – Knutsford Rock Choir; Rivendell Singers; flautist; music picture quiz; tower visits

RUDHEATH SOCIAL CLUB

  • 8pm – Legacy of Crows

THE SALTY DOG

  • 2pm – Act TBC
  • 3.15pm – Phil Golub
  • 4pm – JCB

THE BULL RING

  • 4.30pm – Robyn Feast
  • 5.30pm – Dave Speakman
  • 7pm – Alex Clare

BARONS LOUNGE

  • 4.30pm – In The Pocket
  • 6pm – Chris Howarth
  • 8pm – Christie Bretherton

VIVA

  • 11.30am – Ron Leighton

THE GREEN DRAGON

  • 2pm – Pastry Shoes
  • 3.30pm – Dave Speakman
  • 4.30pm – Frank Quilty

BIRD AND THE HAT

  • 3pm – 3s a Crowd
  • 6.30pm – In The Pocket
  • 8pm – Caught Cheatin'

THE KINGFISHER

  • 7.30pm – What’s Up Doc
  • 9pm – Alex Clare

THE BARN OWL

  • 7pm – Moondogz
  • 9pm – The Otherside

THE SALT BARGE

  • 7.30pm – The Flying Corradinos

RETROS

  • 10pm – They Called Him Zone

THE GREENBANK & QUAYSIDE – TBC