Council bosses have hit out at a 'malicious' hoax wrongly claiming New Smithfield Market is poised to close next year.
An investigation is underway after an image was created to appear to be a genuine page of Manchester city council's website, saying the market was set to shut.
No such page exists, the council confirmed, and there are no plans to close the popular wholesale market in Openshaw.
In fact a task force to discuss and establish ways to help the market grow and expand was established earlier this year, the council said.
The hoax claimed: "The Markets board have decided that as part of a new regeneration scheme, the former New Smithfield Wholesale Market plot will be utilised to create an exciting, state of the art retail hub.
"A total of 33 retail units, including a vast food court and two major supermarkets, has been scheduled for completion by August, 2023."
It went on to claim a government grant had also been secured to build an Islamic community centre, adding: "New Smithfield Wholesale Market is to cease operations from 8/3/2020 in order to prepare for building operations commencing July 2020."
The image was posted on Facebook and shared.
Many linked to the market have been baffled by the motivation behind the post.
New Smithfield Market, a 35-acre site off Ashton Old Road, is the biggest wholesale market in the region.
The original market operated out of Manchester city centre for 100 years before moving to Openshaw in the early 1970s.
The council said it had launched an investigation in a bid to determine the origin of the 'malicious rumour'.
In a statement on Twitter, the council said: "It's been brought to our attention today that a picture on social media has been circulating, claiming that the New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, will be permanently closed in early 2020.
"This is completely untrue.
"The image in question has been doctored to appear as if it is a genuine page on the Manchester city council website.
"We can confirm that no such page exists.
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"There are no plans to close the market, in fact, earlier this year an advisory team was appointed by the council to establish what could be done to help the market grow, to serve the community for many years to come.
"We are grateful for our traders for flagging this hoax.
"The next stage will be for our officers to investigate, to try and find the source of this malicious rumour.
"If anyone has any further concerns, or has information about where this image originated from, please contact our market staff by emailing c.nolan@manchester.gov.uk"
Manchester Markets meanwhile wrote on Facebook: "Fake News.
"Please be aware that this is not an official message from the council or Manchester Markets.
"It has clearly been designed to upset our fantastic traders. New Smithfield Market is here to stay."
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