Planners consent to £15m improvement programme for town markets

Planning permission has been granted for improvements to Dewsbury Market.

A £15m investment will retain and repair the original historic features, while introducing brand new stalls and facilities across the market, improving the space as a destination for both locals and visitors.

A new food hall will be created within the Edwardian Market Hall, as well as a covered food court in the adjacent building which will be capable of supporting events and entertainment.

This will add at least ten different food and beverage operators, while creating an area that can remain open when the rest of the market is closed, supporting the town’s evening economy.  This area will have seating for more than 200 people and standing room for more than 700 at any one time.

As well as improving the structure and broadening the offering, new stalls will replace many of the existing ones, including units set up for more specialist food and drink retailers.

Revitalising the market is part of the much wider Dewsbury Blueprint project, which focuses on improving the town centre, bringing in more footfall and boosting the local economy.

Construction work is planned to start in spring 2022, aiming for completion in summer 2023.

During this time a large temporary street market will continue trading in its place, across a variety of locations including Market Place, part of Foundry Street, the footpaths along Longcauseway, and in front of the Town Hall.

Councillor Eric Firth, cabinet member for town centres, said: “The market is one of Dewsbury’s most distinct and well-loved features, and we’re very excited to move ahead with these ambitious improvements.

“We’ll be creating an amazing space which we believe will be loved by locals as well as attracting new visitors and business.

“Our work on the Dewsbury Blueprint is all about breathing new life into the town centre, while also retaining its heart, culture and key historic features.

“It’ll be wonderful to see this beautiful market building restored to its former glory, and bringing renewed benefits to Dewsbury.

“This is yet another exciting piece of the jigsaw that makes up the Dewsbury  Blueprint . A resurgent Dewsbury will, in the not too distant future, again become a destination of choice.”

The market is one of the nine Dewsbury Town Deal projects that will benefit from funding and support through the Dewsbury Town Deal Board.

£6m of the funding for the new market will come from the £25m Dewsbury Town Deal.