Plans tabled for £8.5m Ellesmere Port Market revamp
A multi-purpose events space and new colour scheme form part of Cheshire West and Chester Council’s proposals to increase the building’s visibility, sustainability, and functionality.
AHR Architects was chosen in August to lead the redesign of Ellesmere Port Market, which will retain its use as a market hall and flea market.
Although the flea market will remain in use as such, recently tabled plans seek to modernise the space with plans to also accommodate events and coworking. A separate entrance would also be created, enabling the new event space to function independently from the market in the evenings.
Outside, a new colour scheme would be adopted based on the 1970s Vauxhall colour chart. This theme has been chosen as a result of the car company’s history with the town, having produced its first cars in Ellesmere Port in 1964.
In terms of sustainability, solar panels and low-energy lighting would be installed alongside replacement external cladding that provides increased insulation and improves energy efficiency.
It is intended that these improvements will support local traders and “future-proof” the facility for “many years to come”, according to a planning statement submitted by Avison Young.
The submission of plans follows a public consultation held last month on the proposals.
Cllr Nathan Pardoe, cabinet member for inclusive economy, regeneration, and digital transformation, said: “The improvements that the council are making will make the market even better, and the council has made sure that all the existing stalls can stay in the new market.
“From the comments received so far, it’s clear Ellesmere Port’s residents and market traders firmly believe that it should remain a traditional market”, he continued.
“The project team will make sure this happens in a future-proofed Ellesmere Port market that people can enjoy for years to come.”
The £8.5m market revamp is being funded mostly by the CWAC’s £13.4m award from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, with the council committing a further £1.4m to the scheme.
The wider £13m project also includes low-carbon town centre housing around Coronation Road as well as a new walking, wheeling, and cycling route.
G&T is providing project management services for the market scheme.
Want to learn more about the proposals? Search for application number 23/03910/FUL on CWAC’s planning portal.
Go on yourself Rob. You did a great job with Chester Market.
By Toby
I think that this is an absolute waste of money. Do our councillors really think that this is going to enhance the appeal to shop in Ellesmere Port given the awful state of the town centre! Given the planners track record I think the money would be better spent on improvement of town centre area and bringing back more seated green space, it resembles a concrete jungle. Rivington road area is a complete eyesore, as is marina walk with so many empty shops which frankly need demolishing. How long have many of these shops lain empty?..years! The arcades is no better with more empty shops not to mention the old TJ Hughes building! What about investing in the main road area of shops, coming over the bridge towards Whitby road is another area that would benefit from an upgrade. How long as some of the shops along there been empty? We don’t need more kebab shops, nail bars, Turkish barbers, vape shops, and an “arkwrights” with half the goods set out on the pavement. I don’t know about levelling up, but levelling it altogether would be more desirable than the eyesore we’ve got now!
By Budge
Maybe Budge maybe wants to reflect on the fact that the edge of Ellesmere Port has Cheshire Oaks, The Coliseum Retail and Leisure Park, and probably the world’s biggest M&S. It is a place with real pockets of deprivation, but if retail is struggling in the town it’s not hard to figure out why. This market investment is maybe a way to bring a distinctive asset to life rather these marmite-ing across the town.
By Rich X