Overhauled Crewe Market due for 2020 reopening

Work has begun on a £3m project to refurbish Crewe Market Hall, with the council set to launch the procurement process for an operator in the coming weeks.

The remodeling of the grade two-listed building got under way at the beginning of June as part of a £50m investment in Crewe town centre. Parkinson is the contractor, while Purcell is the architect.

The refurbished Market Hall will be open six days a week, and will include independent eateries and retailers, as well as pop-up stalls. The building also has the potential to be opened up during the evening for events.

As part of the project, the Victorian building’s archways will be opened up as entrances and fitted with glazed doors, while external repairs will be made to the brickwork. There will be 22 new permanent stalls, a further 12 regularly-changing pop-up stalls, event spaces, and renovated and extended toilet facilities.

With a planned opening date of summer 2020, Cheshire East Council is calling for expressions of interest from potential traders.

Cllr Nick Mannion, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for environment and regeneration, said: “Crewe is a town that’s very much growing and the refurbishment and remodelling of Market Hall will play an important role in the town repositioning itself as a prime leisure and retail destination.

“We want to hear from traders who believe in our vision for Market Hall and want to see it, and the town, thrive as much as we do – whether that’s an artisan wanting to retail their products, a sole trader wanting to take the next step, or an established trader looking to expand or relocate to a prime new spot.”

The Market Hall redevelopment project is part of the Crewe town centre regeneration programme, which is supported by £10m in funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.