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MarketTimesFebruary2016

New £2.78 million redevelopment set to breathe fresh life into Scarborough Market Hall 39 Market Times • February 2016 REPORT WORK is set to start next month on the multi-million pound transformation of Scarborough market, from a tired market hall struggling for footfall to a modern market they hope will pull in the punters — but without losing its tradition and character. Built in 1839, the imposing Grade II listed market hall was once the largest single-span building in the country. And before supermarkets gained their stranglehold, it was a hustling, bustling hive of activity in this Yorkshire seaside town that claims to be the first seaside resort in the world. It is certainly the first Victorian seaside resort. Butcher Ian Hutchinson, who took over an existing butchers business four years ago but has worked in the market for 39 years, said: “Before I worked here I used to come to the market with my dad every Saturday to have breakfast in the cafe and it was really busy.” These days footfall is not great and the market has a tired, downat heel feel. There has been very little investment over recent years and, although well located close to the main shopping street, the market is on the edge of a deprived area and has somehow lost its charm. So hopes were high when Scarborough Borough Council submitted an ambitious application for funding from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund. Nick Taylor, investment manager for the council, said the proposal was to rejuvenate the existing market, creating 60 new jobs including 20 new apprenticeships and 30 new businesses in the process. The application was successful and Nick was tasked with masterminding the £2.78 million redevelopment. “We now have planning permission for a very ambitious scheme which involves creating a new mezzanine floor in a U-shape on three sides of the building,” he said. A seating area will be created on the mezzanine floor at the back of the market, with hot food businesses close by. Once wooden units blocking the windows are removed this seating area will afford great views across Scarborough to the castle. There will be 14 to 16 units for start-up businesses on this new floor for non-market enterprises such as fledgling new media and arts businesses. The large stalls in the central area of the ground floor, which now block the view across the market hall, will be replaced by smaller ones, and new shop units will be added on the periphery. Nick said that there would be new lighting and repainting, but every effort would be made to ensure the redevelopment was in keeping with the building’s listed status. By NICOLA GOULD Nick Taylor is investment manager for Scarborough Borough Council, a role that includes the town centre and market management, as well as spearheading the revamp of the market


MarketTimesFebruary2016
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