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Liverpool’s £2 million market scheme set to move on

Plans for a £2 million refurbishment of St John’s Market in Liverpool city centre are set to move a step closer.

A report to the council’s Cabinet on Friday 4 July is recommending that Graham Construction – who are also carrying out improvements in the shopping centre – be appointed to carry out the modernisation programme.

The work is urgently required to tackle a decline in footfall at the 161 stall facility, and follows recent improvements to improve the roof and lighting.

The proposals, funded through the council’s capital programme, will see a modernised entrance on Elliot Street, with the approach to the market being opened up and improved signage making the market more visible.

In the market itself, there will be a wide, light central atrium space; a new seating area; the balcony bought back into use with additional stalls; a café and new public toilets. It will also be wi-fi enabled.

Stalls selling similar goods will be grouped together – having sections for food, clothes, hardware and so on, to mirror the layout of department stores.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This work is much-needed because St John’s Market still has the feel of something that was designed in the 1970s.

“Our proposals will see the market transformed into a much more up-to-date, brighter and more airy environment in line with what we know shoppers want.

“We will also make the entrance signage much clearer so that people are attracted in to have a look around.

“We have had some extremely positive feedback from traders and have taken into account their views about the timing and logistics of the works in the main market hall to avoid the Christmas period.”

The plans include an increase in the number of traders operating from the market, up from 120 to 140.

Providing the go-ahead is given, the work will start later this year and be completed by April 2015.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .