Work to create the Freshney Place leisure scheme, along with the new food hall and complementary market, will get underway in earnest in early February when contractors will arrive on the site.
The first part of this will be the decommissioning of the existing Top Town Market, ahead of the start of works to demolish the building.
A temporary market will be created within Freshney Place in the unit currently occupied by One Beyond, which is due to be vacated by April. Once the unit is available, some work will be required before the temporary market can open to the public.
North East Lincolnshire Council has been talking with traders in Top Town Market since it started the plans for the scheme, and more recently on a one-to-one basis to understand traders’ business aspirations, talk through the various options available to them, and offer them a full support package to help them to transition going forward.
The next step is to work with those traders who have committed to relocation to ensure a smooth transition into the temporary space.
Meanwhile, North East Lincolnshire Council has confirmed that some traders have chosen not to move to the temporary market, and the cafes have not been able to be included within the temporary market space as they need special facilities, such as extraction, or seating areas. The council is talking separately with the cafes about other suitable spaces in the town centre.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “I’m really pleased that lots of traders have chosen to come across to the temporary market, and I’m sure it will be welcomed by shoppers to have this available as soon as practically possible.
“This unit has been used for a pop up market previously, and is in a great location for traders.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those involved in our Top Town Market in its present location and look forward to seeing the temporary market open to the public in the Spring.”
Image credit: North East Lincolnshire Council
