Transformation programme begins at historic market hall

The first stage of construction work to turn Goole’s Market Hall into a food, drink and events venue – one of eight strategic projects being funded through the Goole Town Deal programme – has officially begun.

William Birch & Sons Ltd, the contractor appointed to carry out the refurbishment, arrived on site last week.

Over the coming months, the firm will make the venue more energy efficient by replacing the roof and glazing, as well as making structural repairs and installing improved heating; a start-of-the-art sound system; flooring; electrics; and new toilet facilities.

This will be followed by a second phase of work that will see the interior of the Market Hall fitted out.

The Market Yard to the rear of the building will also be transformed as part of the project. It’s anticipated the venue will open for business before Christmas 2025.

The Goole Town Deal Board is investing £4m worth of Government funding into the Market Hall and sees it as an important “anchor” destination that will significantly increase footfall and spending in the town centre.

Chair of the Goole Town Deal Board, Phil Jones, said: “We chose to allocate funding to this exciting project to safeguard the future of one of Goole’s most historic and best known landmarks, but also because it has enormous potential to benefit other town centre businesses and boost the local economy by bringing more people into Goole.

“We believe the new-look Market Hall will become a central part of what we consider to be Goole’s cultural quarter, in close collaboration with Junction Goole and Goole Museum, which are both nearby.”

Last summer, the Goole Town Deal Board confirmed that, following a formal tendering process, Brew York, a brewery operating tap rooms and bars at venues in York, Leeds, Otley, Pocklington, Guiseley and Knaresborough, had submitted a successful bid to bring its combination of craft beer and street food to Goole.

In addition to the food and drink offering from Brew York, the refurbished Market Hall will offer flexible space for local creative and craft businesses and host events of both a commercial and community nature to generate an income.

Planning permission for the refurbishment project was granted in 2024.