Council meet traders to discuss ‘outline design proposals’ for markets refurbishment

Market traders in Wrexham have been shown plans outlining how refurbishment works of the town’s two historic buildings will take place.

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.

Wrexham.com first reported on the council’s commitment to improving the General and Butchers Markets back in 2013, where at the time one trader said the “markets needs leadership, it needs a manager who is diverse and dynamic enough to push it forward.”

Seven years later in February 2020 it was announced that £2 million could be spent on redevelopment works – with Wrexham Council revealing plans to invest into the historic buildings.

In March that year 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.

In what Wrexham.com was told was at times a fraught meeting, traders were shown outline design proposals of the listed buildings for what appears to be the first time. Despite that, the council say they are “working with them to identify suitable trading accommodation during the development works”, with one town centre location earmarked now ruled out due to lack of services.

The council say refurbishment is 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.

Cllr Terry Evans, Lead Member for the Economy, said, “It’s only right that the traders are the first to hear of our plans and to give their feedback before final plans are in place.

“There’s a long way to go yet as both are listed buildings and we have to make sure nothing is proposed that could be viewed as detrimental to either listing.

“The works form part of the wider town centre regeneration which has seen several buildings in this part of town improved and renovated.”

“The Butcher’s Market was opened in 1848 and the General Market in 1879. Neither have had any extensive renovation works and 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.”