Member Article

Conlon completes regeneration of Altrincham Market

Conlon Construction has completed the £525k refurbishment of Altrincham’s historic market hall, creating a Camden-style destination market for food producers, artisans and performance artists.

The programme started in April and involved converting the Grade II listed 19th century Market House and adjoining market hall constructed in 1930 into a mixed use market, performance and function venue.

Conlon was appointed to the design and build scheme by the building’s owner, Trafford Council.

The newly redesigned market hall will be operated by Nick Johnson, whose career pedigree, ranging from chairing Marketing Manchester to deputy chief executive at Urban Splash, makes him ideally placed to develop a venue that offers both a must visit destination for foodies and a centre of cool for artists of all kinds.

The completed Altrincham market scheme aims to provide shopping, eating, drinking, and entertainment delivered by hand-picked independent businesses from across the North West.

The environment is both forward focused and respectful of the building’s traditional architecture and Altrincham’s market town charter, which dates back to 1290.

Conlon was responsible for restoring and preserving many of the listed building’s original features, including the Market House’s brickwork facades, the internal and external iron work and the glazed roofs.

The complex programme had to be carried out while many of the existing market stalls were still trading.

Michael Conlon, chairman at Conlon Construction explained: “This is an iconic scheme for Altrincham which proves that traditional markets can remain the commercial and social hubs of traditional market towns if they are updated to meet modern tastes.

“The scheme combined both sympathetic heritage conservation whilst retaining some authentic features that give the building its character and a contemporary focus on compliance with building regulations, safety requirements and disabled access.

“The end result is an environment that will safeguard a piece of Altrincham’s history and bring new visitors to the town.”

Executive Councillor for Economic Growth and Planning, Cllr Michael Hyman, said: “This investment reinforces the council’s continuing commitment to the market.

“This inspirational work has helped establish the market as the new true beating heart of the town. I am sure that visitors from near and far will be impressed and captivated by the area.

“By working with Market Operations the council has been able to make sure the area retains the best original features and character, while adapting it to ensure a fit-for-purpose, interesting, adaptable environment for modern day market traders, shoppers and visitors old and new.

This, together with the commitment of everyone involved and the enthusiasm shown by shoppers to the market hall and town centre is sure to cement a prosperous future for the area.“

Market operations director, Nick Johnson, said: “We firmly believe that this project will be a fundamental plank in the regeneration of the town as well as fostering and mentoring independent new businesses that are the key to the future of new enterprise in this and every town in the country”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .