Market Operations: ‘This is a story about regeneration’

A market for some 700 years, Nick Johnson’s reinvention of Altrincham Market into a thriving food hub has been credited with revitalising the town, and kickstarting the food hall trend. In this interview, which took place some 18 months ago on the eve of the pandemic, the former architect and designer traces the genesis of his vision back to his work helping create Manchester’s modern cultural identity. He explains why Market Operations isn’t a concept – and why the authenticity and community roots of the model can’t be copied.