Halifax Borough Market - Halifax Future High Streets

Key details

The Government’s Future High Streets Fund aims to renew and reshape town centres in a way that drives growth, improves experience, and ensures future sustainability. As part of this funding, we are updating the stunning Victorian market. We are creating a warmer and more welcoming place for people to shop, eat, drink and spend time.

Current status

Concept (Completed)
Development (Completed)
Construction (In Progress)
Evaluation (Pending)

Plans 

We are making improvements to both outside and inside the market, these plans include changes to:

Roof

We're refurbishing the main roof to make the market warmer, watertight and allow more natural light into the building. As part of this work we are redecorating the ceiling and wrought iron fixtures in tones of blue, green, gold and cream. 

Part of the newly refurbished roof, including the freshly painted Victorian iron works.

Access

We’re installing new automatic doors and overdoor heaters at each of the market’s entrances. These changes make the market more accessible and secure. 

We’re also installing new automatic sliding doors at the market arcade entrance to replace four of the heavy, free-swinging doors. We’re repairing and preserving the two original outer doors, revealing previously hidden details.

Design drawing of the market arcade arched entrance from inside the Halifax Borough Market. The new automatic glass doors sit alongside two of the original outer doors.
Proposed designs for the new market arcade automatic sliding doors.

Wayfinding

We’re fitting new signs at each market entrance to promote the traders and events on offer at Halifax Borough Market. We’re also replacing the old halogen lights with new energy efficient LED lighting.

Albany Arcade

We’re improving Albany Arcade for use as an events space during and outside of normal market trading hours. We’re enhancing the pop-up stalls in this section and replacing the public toilets with new unisex toilet facilities.

Albion Street

We're removing the existing canopies and refreshing the shopfronts with new signs and retractable awnings. We're also adding a steel and glass canopy above the entrance to improve the market's presence along this side. 

Design drawing for the planned changes to the market along Albion Street, including the new glass canopy above the entrance.

Stalls

We’re introducing a sample stall for traders to test and provide feedback. The final design will allow traders to choose from a selection of storage and display elements and will be rolled out to vacant stalls.

Design drawing of the sample stall with different storage options and space for stall signage above.

Central Clock

We’re opening up the area to showcase the iconic clock that sits beneath the domed roof. We’re also adding seating in this space with display boards showcasing the market’s unique history. The seating will form an octagon shape around the cast iron clock. This is a nod to the Victorian market's past, with this area originally designed for eight central stalls. 

Design drawing for the seating area and display boards around the clock.
Plans for the new seating area around the clock.

Connectivity

We’re installing wifi internet for customers and traders to use.

Outdoor Lighting

We’re adding new exterior lighting along Southgate and Market Street to highlight and enhance the building’s impressive architectural features.

Benefits

Economic Growth

We’re creating opportunities for Halifax high street to grow and thrive. These changes support current and future market traders and will increase the number of visitors.

Heritage

We’re preserving this Victorian market to ensure that it can be used and enjoyed for many more years to come.

Community

We’re creating a place where people can continue to support their local community through shopping at their local market.

Sustainability

We’re making changes to create a warmer, more energy efficient building.

Progress    

March 2024

Listed building consent has been approved to install new signs at the market. These will help people find their way around and promote the traders and events on offer. Listed building consent has also been received to transform The Albany Arcade into a new event space.

We're installing a new canopy at the Albion Street entrance, and we're also repairing the paving in this area. This means that the Albion Street entrance will be temporarily closed from 8 April to 30 April. Halifax Borough Market will remain open as normal. 

January 2024

The public toilets in The Albany Arcade have been upgraded and are now open for use. 

Outside the new public toilets in Halifax Borough Market. The area has also been redecorated to match the new colour scheme of blue, green, gold and cream.

December 2023

It's been a year of great progress towards the transformation of this Victorian market. 

Listed building consent has been received for the improvements around the clock and plans to install new automatic sliding doors at the market arcade entrance which will replace four of the heavy, free swinging doors. Listed building consent has been submitted to install new signs at the market as part of plans to help people find their way around and promote the traders and events on offer. 

Along Albion Street, the outdoor canopy has been removed following planning permission and listed building consent. This is to make way for new signs, retractable awnings and a steel and glass canopy above the entrance.

Next to the market arcade entrance, the sample stall foundations and steel frames have been installed. Once completed, traders will be able to test out the new design and provide feedback. 

In The Albany Arcade, work is nearing completion to upgrade the public toilets and listed building consent has been submitted to transform the area into a new event space. 

Work to replace the roof continues and is progressing well, with some sections already complete and being put to the test by the winter weather. This image of the roof shows the difference between the new and old sections, with the new double glazed panels covered in snow next to the old panels where the snow has melted due to heat loss. Once complete the new roof will make the market warmer, watertight, more energy efficient, and allow more natural light into the building. 

The newly installed glass roof panels next to the old panels yet to be replaced.

August 2023

Work to transform the historic Halifax Borough Market continues.

Planning permission and listed building consent have been received for the Albion Street improvements.

Listed building consent applications have been submitted as part of plans to upgrade the historic doors at the market arcade entrance and improvements to the area around the clock tower.

Roof renovations are progressing well. The dome section above the central clock is now complete and includes clear glass panels and newly decorated steel structures. 

The newly glazed domed roof.

June 2023

Wifi installation is complete. Traders and visitors to the market now have access to free, high speed internet. 

May 2023

Planning application submitted for the changes along Albion Street and the work around the central clock. 

March 2023

Tenders for the public and trader toilet refurbishments have been returned and evaluated. The contract has been awarded to IAG Developments Ltd.

August 2022

Re-roofing starts at Halifax Borough Market this month. The milestone marks the start of the first major project funded by the Future High Street Fund in Halifax.

The contract for the work has been awarded to local company IAG Developments Ltd. The Queensbury based contractor is familiar with the market. They completed similar roofing works in the Albany Arcade section of the market, and the re-roofing and external works to the Market Street elevation.

The £2.3m contract will take around 18 months to complete. The work starts 22 August 2022 and will be undertaken in 5 phases to minimise disruption.

We’ve ensured that erection of scaffolding at the market is planned to take place outside of normal trading hours to minimise disruption. Surplus fittings will be removed prior to the start of trading each morning and lighting will be provided to make up for the light blocked out by scaffolding.

The works will address a number of issues highlighted by tenants.

 

Funding

Approximate scheme value: £4.40M.