Market redevelopment plans set to create over 100 jobs
Redevelopment plans for Melton’s historic Cattle Market have been announced, promising to transform the site into a hub for food production and cultural events.
The project is expected to create 110 permanent jobs and attract an additional 50,000 visitors to the town each year.
Melton’s Cattle Market currently houses several independent food producers in an area known as The Stockyard.
The Stockyard is home to food and drink businesses like Round Corner Brewing and Samosa Wallah and hosts events such as the East Midlands Food Festival, PieFest, and the Artisan Cheese Fair.
Melton Borough Council is seeking permission to create a series of new food production buildings and to renovate existing structures.
If approved, the redevelopment will feature an open space called Festival Square, designed to host events and double as parking when needed.
The redevelopment, funded by £12m from the Government’s Levelling Up Round 2 fund, will also revitalise a long-vacant building on Nottingham Road, transforming it into micro-production units or artists’ studios.
Redevelopment plans (credit: Melton Borough Council)
Plans also include the creation of two large seating areas and the improvement of public toilets.
The largest of the new food production hubs will serve as the backdrop to Festival Square, while two smaller hubs will border the space, one of which will extend the existing Trader Hall.
The third hub is designed to attract smaller businesses, functioning as incubator units for new ventures.
A new, three-story “anchor” building will be constructed as the entrance to The Stockyard.
The council is also seeking initial planning permission for a second phase of development, which will involve further improvements to existing buildings.
