Butchers’ And General Market To Get A Revamp

Wrexham’s General and Butchers’ Market could get a revamp and create and ‘enhanced shopping experience’ if proposals are passed by Wrexham Council.

A recently submitted planning application for ‘Listed Building Consent’ for both the General Market and the Butchers’ Market could result in the two buildings receiving both interior and exterior refurbishments.

The proposed refurbishments would include the removal of vegetation, isolated areas of masonry cleaning and ‘general works to de-clutter the buildings facades’.

It is also proposed that shop fronts are also redecorated with new signage installed.

It is hoped that the proposed refurbishments have a positive impact on the market’s footfall and create an ‘enhanced shopping experience for both visitors and users of the market buildings’.

Last year Wrexham.com reported on the ‘Reinvigoration’ of Wrexham’s three indoor markets, which included rebranding and promoting the markets.

During the meeting nine recommendations were put forward, focusing on generating footfall to the markets and improving the general maintenance of the markets. You can read our full report from the meeting here.

The new market logos that have been launched as part of the market’s reinvigoration

A breakdown of some of the proposals is listed in the application, with a total of 12 alterations proposed for the Butchers’ Market and seven for the General Market.

With regards to the General Market proposed alterations include clearing the brickwork of shrubs and weeds, repainting the shop fronts and joinery in green and white, replacing alarms and changing the lettering of the signage.

Proposals for the Butchers’ Market include clearing the brickwork of shrubs and weeds, install new signage, clean masonry to the North elevation and replicate the above mentioned green and white colour scheme.

The proposed signage and font for the Butchers’ Market

Within the applications Design and Access Statement it says: “The refurbishment works proposed will enhance the overall appearance of the listed buildings and ensure they are properly maintained for future.

“The works proposed seek to de-clutter the existing building frontages in order that the special architectural features of these buildings can be fully appreciated.”

During the proposed redevelopments to the Henblas Street entrance to the Butchers’ Market, temporary access would be provided. However this would be the only alteration to accessing either of the markets.

In total around 250 people are employed across the three markets, however last September it was revealed the occupancy of the markets has declined by 5% in recent months.

Since December of last year, the Butchers’ Market in particular has seen several new occupants join the market. At the start of the year we popped down to have a chat with the new stallholders. You can read our report of three of the market’s new stalls here.

The application for the refurbishments is due to go before Wrexham Council at a later date.

The markets are the subject of an ongoing debate on our forums. You can take part in the discussion here… A separate thread on the Butchers’ Market can be found here…