Senior councillors to run rule over plans to invest £2m in Wrexham’s town centre markets

Senior councillors are set to run the rule over plans to invest £2m to improve Wrexham’s town centre markets.

A task force was set up in 2018 to consider how to tackle decreasing visitor numbers and the large amount of empty stalls at both the Butcher’s Market and General Market.

Their proposals, which are aimed at reviving the fortunes of the 19th century indoor markets, were revealed in January.

The majority of the seven-figure-sum is to be spent on the Butchers’ Market with plans for major refurbishments, including the creation of a pop-up food shop to showcase local produce.

The suggestions have already received the backing of the local authority’s employment, business and investment scrutiny committee.

A final decision will now be made at a meeting of the ruling independent/Conservative executive board being held next week.

Paul Roberts, chair of the town centre markets task and finish group, said major changes were needed in order to upgrade the buildings.

In a report, he said: “The Butcher’s Market and General Market budget reported an operating surplus, but income was less than predicted and there was a vacancy rate of 50 per cent in the Butcher’s Market.

“The importance of retaining the markets due to their architectural and historic relevance is acknowledged, but they are in need of significant investment and modernisation.

“There is the potential to secure in the region of £2m, from a range of Welsh Government, National Lottery Heritage and council funding for the markets.

“The group involved market traders, considered the three appraisal reports from three student placements from Glyndŵr University and a public survey was also undertaken to seek the views of people who live, visit or work in Wrexham and the market traders on how they would like to see the town centre markets developed.”

He added: “It was agreed that resources should be focused on the regeneration of the Butcher’s Market initially, to act as a catalyst for wider regeneration of the Henblas and High Street area of the town centre.

“It was suggested that the necessary links are established with the markets manager in Chester in view of the significant increase in occupancy following their recent development of the markets.”

Changes have been proposed to the layout of the grade II listed market in a bid to improve footfall.

Upgraded signs, stall fronts and access points have also been outlined.

While the improvements have mostly been welcomed by traders, some have warned the council will need to work with them to prevent disruption.

It comes after the authority said the Butcher’s Market would need to be closed while some of the work is carried out.

Cllr Roberts said: “There would need to be physical regeneration works to support the vision and there is an expectation that the Butchers Market would have to close during the first phase of regeneration works.

“Officers would work with market traders to meet their needs during this period, which could take six months or more.

“The timescale would be dependent upon receipt of funding and the scale of the regeneration work, but significant building work is not anticipated to start until 2021, at the earliest.”

The executive board will meet on Tuesday where members will be asked to agree the new vision for town centre markets.

They have also been recommended to instruct the council’s chief officer for housing and economy to develop a delivery plan using the appropriate funding.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme)