Published on 21 February 2024
The £3.4m transformation of Leek's indoor market halls is set to start in the spring after the District Council granted planning permission for the project.
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has worked closely with the traders to agree the programme for the works which will see the markets continue to operate until Easter Saturday 30 March.
The buildings will then close to allow the work to take place with many of the traders taking the opportunity offered by the Council of stalls on the weekly outdoor markets. Others will trade online or from other venues in the town.
Councillor Matt Swindlehurst, Cabinet member for Leisure and Tourism, said: "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to breathe new life into these buildings to ensure they remain at the heart of town life for generations to come.
"It's a really exciting project and we're looking forward to getting on site in April. Inevitably for a project on this scale, the buildings will need to be temporarily closed whilst the work is carried out and we've worked closely with the traders to offer alternative trading arrangements and support during this period.
"They'll be trading indoors as usual until Easter Saturday and then you'll see many of them on the outdoor markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or in other places including online, so please continue to show them your support and shop local."
The project is being funded from the £17.1m the Council was awarded from the Government's Levelling Up Fund together with additional funding from the Council.
It will see enhancements that will benefit both customers and traders including the installation of wi-fi, CCTV, heating - including solar panels and air source heat pumps - and insulation.
Investment in retail spaces and shopfronts in the Butter Market will improve the shopping environment. In the Trestle Market, the refurbishment will create a flexible retail and events space with three independent food and drink outlets and customer seating.
Heritage features including the glazed tiling and the roof trusses will be preserved and the imitation slates on the roof will be replaced with real slate.
You can read more on our website and watch Councillor Swindlehurst speaking about the markets on our YouTube channel.
