A FAMOUS UK market in one of the country’s most historic cities is set to get a huge £6million redevelopment.
Located in the heart of Oxford’s city centre, The Covered Market brings in visitors from all over the world.
AlamyThe Covered Market is one of the most famous in the UK[/caption]
AlamyPlans to renovate the entrances and inside for £6.87million have been put forward[/caption]
oxford.gov.ukA sketch of what the proposed plans could look like[/caption]
From its modest origins with timber stalls hundreds of years ago, it has since blossomed into a buzzing and expansive marketplace.
The market has continuously supported local businesses and traders, and helps foster a sense of community in Oxford.
Visitors often flock to the area to enjoy specialist artisan produce, cafes, restaurants and shops.
Now, Oxford City Council say a £6.87million redevelopment project will see the entrances in High Street and Market Street transformed.
There will be larger seating areas inside the market, and a new outdoor seating area in a more pedestrian-friendly Market Street.
The aim is to encourage visitors to spend more time in the Covered Market to help safeguard the market’s future.
The council also want to strengthen the market as a destination and attract a wider audience.
And they say the proposed regeneration will respect the unique character, heritage and history of the Covered Market, which first opened in 1774.
The project will see a new communal space which will function as a public square during the day and a flexible event space at other times.
Meanwhile, new outdoor seating, market stalls and planters will be installed as Market Street becomes part-pedestrianised.
Separately, the City Council is investing £3.1m to upgrade the Covered Market.
This includes a whopping £1.8million to secure the roof for another 60 to 80 years and £1.3million for internal refurbishment and decorations.
In July 2023, the City Council commissioned Urban Movement – an award-winning public realm and transport design practice – to bring forward a pilot project to trial the part-pedestrianisation of Market Street.
The trial, which has a target for implementation on site in Spring 2024, will create space for outdoor seating, market stalls and planters in a temporary pedestrian-friendly space in Market Street.
The Covered Market remains a historical gem of Oxford and has sustained a visitor rate above pre-pandemic levels.
What was intended to just be a meat market became a place of eateries and various traders by the end of the 19th century.
It has since survived proposals to demolish and move it, before ultimately being listed as a grade II establishment in March 2000.
This year, the market will celebrate its 250th anniversary with a number of events throughout 2024.
Some of these celebratory events include an anniversary edition of the annual Easter Egg Hunt, May Morning festivities in partnership with The Market Tap by Tap Social, and a birthday party with a ceremonial cake cutting.
Other plans are currently in the works, such as a potential collaboration with the Museum of Oxford and a merging of the market’s Christmas celebrations with wider anniversary festivities.
AlamyThe market has operated since 1774[/caption]
oxford.gov.ukBut it could soon see a number of huge changes[/caption]