City of Lincoln Council is seeking the views of residents, traders, and stakeholders on proposals to restore and repurpose the Grade II listed Central Market building in Lincoln city centre.
The redevelopment of the Central Market is identified by the city council as a key project to encourage economic recovery and growth and is included as part of a funding bid and Town Investment Plan under the government’s Town Deal funding programme.
In December 2020, City of Lincoln Council secured funding through Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme enabling initial feasibility and design works to begin.
Subject to funding being secured, construction works could commence in late 2021 providing a new transformed market which will create a modern and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology and providing a shopping experience to customers.
The scheme will aim to re-invent the market, bringing greater opportunity to showcase local produce as well as offer a variety of traders in order to respond to local needs and changing shopping trends. City of Lincoln Council and its design team have referenced a number of excellent precedents in other UK towns and cities including Doncaster, Altrincham and Scarborough, which have successfully transformed their markets with great success.
The proposals include:
- Demolition of the existing poor quality WC’s and Butchers/Fishmongers Corridor
- A new commercial unit located on the site of the existing WC’s and Butcher’s/Fishmonger’s Corridor with potential for either retail or bar/restaurant use over ground and first floor with a balcony overlooking Sincil Street
- A reconfigured market hall with both new and refurbished stalls catering for food and non-food retail and a central food court area offering people a place to sit and enjoy a drink and food
- A new dedicated Butcher’s/Fishmonger’s sales area located at the western end of the Market hall below a new mezzanine floor and accessed from within the Market Hall
- New high quality unisex public toilets including an accessible WC, all accessed from within the refurbished market hall The Introduction of a new mezzanine level to the western end of the market hall interior providing additional flexible commercial space, and a place for people to sit with a drink or food and look down into the main market hall
- Opening up of the existing stone arches to the north and east elevations by replacing the stone with glazing to provide natural light and visibility from inside and outside of the market hall
- Replacement of the market stalls to their original design replicate the market stalls when the market was originally opened in 1938
- A complete re-design of City Square so that it forms part of the markets building in providing outdoor seating for patrons of the market hall but also creates a place for people to visit to meet friends and sit and dwell and enjoy a drink and food by the riverside with new hard surfacing, street furniture, lighting and tree planting
As part of the consultation process, the city council now seeks the views of residents, traders and stakeholders to fill in a short survey, providing feedback on the proposals.
The survey will run from 8 February to 22 February and can be found at Lincoln.gov.uk.
Cllr Ric Metcalfe, Leader at City of Lincoln Council said: “We understand that these are difficult times for the High Street, however we also believe that a vibrant market can be a strong attraction for Lincoln and help to showcase the best that the city has to offer.
“We would now like the views of our residents, traders and stakeholders to help create a joint vision for the city centre.
“I look forward to seeing the feedback on initial plans and welcome the consultation.”
To fill in the survey, please visit www.lincoln.gov.uk/LincolnCentralMarketSurvey