£2m funding boost announced for regeneration of Wrexham’s indoor markets

Refurbishment plans for Wrexham’s historic indoor markets have been boosted following Welsh Government approval of £2m funding for the Butcher’s Market under the Transforming Towns initiative.

The market, along with the neighbouring General Market, are both set to go undergo extensive renovation as part of the Wrexham Townscape Heritage Scheme.

Plans and work on this historic part of Wrexham will begin once all the plans and permissions are in place.

The Butcher’s Market was opened in 1848 and the General Market in 1879. Neither have had any extensive renovation works, with Wrexham Council saying “it’s time that we look to the future of both the existing tenants and future tenants to ensure these two markets flourish in the town centre.”

The regeneration of the two indoor markets has been on the cards for several years, with many hours of council meetings taking place in that time.

In March 2020 members of the executive board backed the investment with hopes that the historic markets could reinvent themselves by following in the footsteps of popular venues over the English border.

However the coronavirus pandemic, which forced a national lockdown just weeks after that report was published, has caused a further delay to the start of the refurbishment works.

Work is now underway to bring a delivery plan to the new council this summer.

Cllr Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, said, “This is excellent news and ensures that work on this important townscape heritage scheme takes place.

“Our markets are our heritage and the Butchers Market is in need of significant improvement to ensure it remains fit for purpose for many, many more years.”

Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for Economy, said, “Whilst the pandemic disrupted our plans for a while we are now working at pace to ensure design proposals will be presented to councillors for approval in June.

“We have liaised with the existing tenants and will ensure they stay up to date with all our proposals and plans.”

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns initiative aims to address the decline in Welsh city and town centre. It’s focussed on improved biodiversity and green infrastructure; reuse of derelict buildings; increasing the variety of services on offer in towns with an emphasis on flexible working and living space; and access to services and leisure.

The priority is securing the long-term sustainability of our town and city centres by driving footfall and making them attractive places to spend time

Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters said: “We are investing significant amounts of funding through our Transforming Towns Programme to provide town centres like Wrexham with a much-needed boost.

“As well as providing long sustainability for the town centre, this funding will help to harness important heritage and encourage more people back to the high street.”

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