Willmott Dixon appointed for Bolton Market revamp

The contractor has been appointed to deliver the £4.5m Bolton Market refurbishment.

Willmott Dixon has delivered more than 30 retail and 110 refurbishment projects in the last five years.

Work to redevelop the market will start this month with completion of the refurbishment planned for late 2013. Work to the car park and servicing area will finish in 2014.

Indoor market traders in the non-food section will be mainly affected by the refurbishment. They will be relocated temporarily on to the current outdoor market during February. The market's fruit and veg section and the fish market will be open for business as usual.

Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of the council, said: "Willmott Dixon have worked on many retail projects in the North West which have required the sites to be remodelled similar to what we're doing in Bolton. We are now working closely with them on this project which will make our market even better.

"The market is one of our main shopping destinations and while work is underway it will still be open for business as usual, and we will make every effort to minimise disruption."

Improvements will include new roofs, additional indoor food stalls and a seating area in the eastern hall. The outdoor market will be moved to New Street closer to the planned new transport interchange.

The design team for the project is led by architects Davis Wetherill Partnerships who have recently completed the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Accrington Market Hall for Lancashire County Council.

Anthony Dillon, regional managing director of Willmott Dixon, said: "We will be working closely with Bolton Council to ensure we maximise the local economic benefit through engagement with local subcontractors, suppliers, and the employment of local labour."

Bolton Market opened in the 1930s and is one of Britain's oldest food markets.