AHR lands Ellesmere Port Market redesign

Cheshire West and Chester Council has chosen The Spine architect to breathe new life into the flea market.

AHR will now dig through stakeholder feedback and consult with CWAC to craft a design that not only improves the sustainability credentials of the building but also provides a business start-up space, children’s play area, and flexible event space – as well as areas for marker traders to hawk their wares.

AHR’s ultimate design will also see improvements to the building’s accessibility, with the inclusion of Changing Place standard toilets.

A planning statement outlining the council’s proposals is due in autumn.

Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration, and digital transformation, shared the council’s goal for the market.

“The council is working on creating a new shopping and leisure experience, informed by public opinion, that celebrates the proud shipping history of Ellesmere Port as part of a more contemporary design,” he said.

The revamp of Ellesmere Port Market is part of the council’s broader £15m Ellesmere Port rejig, which seeks to improve the town centre by creating an active travel route between the train station, market, and two plots allocated for low-carbon homes. Those sites are the soon-to-be-demolished former civic offices and the junction of McGarva Way and Coronation Road.

Funding for the Ellesmere Port transformation comes mostly from the council’s £13.4m award from the government’s Levelling Up Fund. CWAC has committed a further £1.4m to the project.

This is not the first time AHR has worked with CWAC. The architect also designed the council’s Chester Northgate scheme, which opened last year.

AHR director Dominic Manfredi said his team was “delighted” to be chosen for the market project.

“We look forward to working closely with the local community and key project stakeholders to turn this vision into a reality,” he said.