Video: Wrexham Markets refurb making good progress ahead of call for interested new traders

The General and Butchers’ market in Wrexham city centre are being transformed in a multi million refurb, and this is what the progress currently looks like.

On Friday we had an exclusive look inside the two buildings, following on from our video back in March that had a first look at what was a total building site. Now, following ripping the markets back to bare brick the construction work is well underway as the new markets are looking like markets once again.

The Grade II-listed General and Butchers markets are being refurbished as part of the Wrexham Townscape Heritage Scheme, funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund (with thanks to the National Lottery Players), Welsh Government – Transforming Towns Fund, and Wrexham County Borough Council capital programme.

Work started in the summer on a complete refurbishment of both buildings, with SWG Construction leading the project on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council.

There will be more details in the coming weeks on how prospective traders can take a tour, see the plans and the packages available ahead of the reopening to decide what they can potentially do in the new space. We were told there has been decent interest in stalls for the refurbished markets, as well as interest for the new stunning restaurant space on the High Street side which will have self contained access from the street. Some perimeter stalls have been kitted out for a food offering, and have provision for extraction and other required equipment.

We were told the council are being ‘bold’ in what is a reboot of the markets, and is hoping the spaces will fill up quickly with a diverse and quality offering for customers.

Every stall will have an application process and new market regulations will see a commitment to consistent opening times – plus the end of the formally traditional Wednesday afternoon closures with six day a week opening – as well as requirements for new standards and appearance of stalls.

A new modern ‘Wrexham Markets’ brand will be unveiled to encompass the historic market town of Wrexham and give consistency of promotion across all markets except Ty Pawb.

Cllr Nigel Williams, Lead member for Economy, Business and Tourism on Wrexham Council, said of they markets, “They have had a huge investment, all thanks to grants from various sources, primarily the lottery heritage grant – so thank you to them. It’s been completely transformed. There is a new heating and cooling system, all new shop fronts.

“It is a really exciting project, long overdue. So we just need plenty of new traders to come to fill it up!”

A ‘Grand Opening’ will be likely some time in October, “I’m not going to give an exact date of opening at the moment, because, as you’ll see, the building is almost 150 years old I think so they still uncovering things, little surprises here and there. So we can’t pin a date down as yet, but we’re getting towards the completion now”.

Cllr Williams encourages any potential traders and businesses who might want to have a look inside and get more information on how they can get involved to keep an eye out in the coming weeks for formal communications from Wrexham Council, “We’ve got various side stalls, from large ones to really small ones, ideal for beginners. You may have a business somewhere else in Wrexham and see what a beautiful building this is now and decide to open a second unit!”

Towards the end of the month there will be an offer for potential traders a chance to visit the new market buildings to discover more on the trading offer.

The whole area will be transformed as outside on High Street major works are taking place to change the street look and feel.