One of Britain’s oldest indoor markets is to re-open next month after a £2.5m revamp.
Dating back to 1822, St Johns Market in Liverpool city centre has been given a radical makeover – complete with a new event space, its first welcome desk and team and free wi-fi.
The renovation, which began in June, has also allowed the historic market to grow by a third from 90 to approximately 120 stalls.
Liverpool City Council, which has overseen the works and recently bought back control of all city markets in a £1 deal, has announced that the market will re-open for business on Monday, 14 November.
Its opening will coincide with the the completion of a £3.5m upgrade by the city council to the public realm surrounding the market, in and around Clayton Square, including a tree lined walkway.
The new St Johns Market, which will be home to a purpose built food court, will also include:
• Flexible space for temporary events and speciality markets
• New seating areas – with capacity for 200 people
• New lifts to the balcony level
• New public toilets
• A bright new colour design – most notably on pitched market roof
• New logo – based on pitched roof design
St Johns Market, which last had a refit in 1971 and was reopened by The Queen, will also be staffed by with an information desk for the first time in its history.
St Johns Market Traders Association is creating a brand new website and social media platforms for the public to provide feedback and to get to know the traders.
And a series of unique events will be held within the market in the run up to Christmas to showcase the new look surroundings.
In the New Year, the city council will also relocate its One Stop Shop from the Municipal Buildings into the market adding further footfall to the venue.
Councillor Malcom Kennedy, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “St Johns Market has been totally transformed – people will simply not recognise the place.
”But the changes are not just physical, a lot of time and planning is going into how the market is animated and promoted and, critically, how the customer experience is improved.
”The Traders Association have a key role to play in making St Johns a warm, welcoming and friendly shopping environment and I know they are aiming to set the bar very high.”
Ged James, Chairman of St Johns Market Traders Association, who has traded at the market since 1995, added: “We’ve had a sneak peak and really like what we’ve seen. It’s a huge improvement on the old market.
“We can’t wait to get back in and start trading again and welcoming old and new customers to St Johns.
“We’re also really looking forward to working with the new traders and making the market a vibrant retail destination in Liverpool.”