Plans for £4m Rotherham markets boost in pipeline

Councillors have approved a £25,000-worth of design and feasibility work on the plans to improve the indoor and outdoor markets.

Regeneration manager Simeon Leach said: “The Centenary Markets complex requires redevelopment, particularly in light of Tesco opening and other markets in the area having comprehensive renewal schemes.

“Options for the redevelopment of the outdoor tented market have been devised and cost estimates to deliver the works are in the order of £4 million.

“Further work is now required to understand which refurbishment scheme and associated costs is most appropriate for the indoor market.

“The funds will be used to bring forward the redevelopment and refurbishment of a key town centre project.”

Mr Leach said: “As the project progresses, a redeveloped markets complex should encourage new businesses to set up there and ensure existing traders continue to operate in a vibrant and viable environment.

“The amount of likely private sector investment cannot yet be ascertained as the project needs to be sufficiently well developed to test the market and likely demand.

“Further funding will be required to deliver any works identified by the design and feasibility work.

“This will be difficult in the current economic climate, but ways of financing the projects will be one of the issues covered by the feasibility work.”

What would you like to see in the redeveloped markets?  What do you think of the prospects of the development going ahead. use the “write a comment” buttons to post your views.