Cardigan’s Market Hall £2.8 million restoration now underway!
Restoration work is now being carried out on Cardigan’s Heritage Market Hall which will help secure the future of this flagship building. Funding of this £2.7 million project will cover structural repairs and urgent remedial works, whilst maintaining and enhancing the heritage features of this unique market building. This latest phase of work, headed by Cardigan Building Preservation Trust, follows the Trust’s major restoration of the Guildhall, Corn Exchange and Courtyard a decade ago.
Works include major repairs to the roof and walls to address severe water incursion, installation of a heating system together with solar panels, and upgrading of the electrical system. A completely new entrance block at the rear will improve access direct from the car park to both market floors and the High Street, and include a lift and public toilets. Market stalls will also be upgraded and renewed, improving facilities for traders as well as the local community and visitors. Current traders’ jobs will be safeguarded and trading opportunities provided for new businesses.
The story of the Market Hall’s heritage will also be told, highlighting the unique architecture and rich social history of the building, which has operated as a market since its opening in 1860, creating a heritage attraction for locals and visitors within a welcoming venue for shopping and eating.
The Upper Market, late 19th century
Work has now started on both the Lower and Upper Market levels. Scaffolding has been erected both internally & externally in readiness for re-roofing, re-glazing and addressing structural problems.
Trustee Lindsay Sheen said:
“The project will restore and improve the whole building, while preserving its unique architectural heritage and ultimately, once the work is done, the building will also have true economic and social sustainability. Most importantly, the Market Hall will continue to be a thriving market place, instead of a heritage building at risk. The market traders have been essential contributors to the overall project and the Trust has greatly appreciated their patience and co-operation during the re-location period. They now invite their customers, old and new, to continue supporting these unique businesses while relocated at the venues as seen on the front-page header”.
This current phase of the Cardigan Markethall Restoration Project is made possible by grants from:
- The European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government’s Building for the Future programme
- Welsh Government’s Building for the Future programme
- Ceredigion County Council
- The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme
- The Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government
- The Coastal Communities Fund delivered by the National Lottery Community Fund in Wales on behalf of the Welsh Government
- Cadw on behalf of the Welsh Government
Internal scaffolding and crash deck
Market Hall Courtyard prior to scaffolding
Scaffolding and Hoarding on Market Hall Facia
On the lower ground floor, slate flags are being lifted ready for storage, so that under floor heating can be installed and pipe work upgraded. The flags that are in a suitable condition will be re-laid on the aisles between the stalls.
