Lincoln Central Market Renovations Approved By Councillors

Lincoln Central Market Renovations Approved By Councillors

A significant package of construction and renovation work on the Central Market in Lincoln has been approved by City Councillors.

At a meeting of the Planning Committee at the end of June, councillors approved renovation work on the historic listed building, which is set to include a complete overhaul of the interior and roof, a new food court and landscaping around the building and nearby Sincil Street.

As well as this, the councillors have approved the construction with the help of scaffolders in Lincoln of a two-storey extension which is set to hold a restaurant/cafe and roof terrace on the grounds, as well as public toilets and baby changing facilities.

As a consequence, part of the building based at Butchers Corridor will be demolished.

Currently, the price for the entire project is unknown. However, the works are set to cost at least £8.5m.

It is known that £5.9m has already been requested from the Towns Fund, and a combined total of £2.6m has been raised from match funding between the Public Works and Loan Board, Heritage Action Zone and reserves the Council holds.

Lincoln Council themselves have been keen on a refurbishment of the building, and have stated that the development will complement the Cornhill Quarter project (currently budgeted at £70m) and the Transport Hub (currently budgeted at £30m).

Lincoln has long been a market town and whilst the current Grade II Listed Central Market dates back to 1938, the front dates back to the Butter Market constructed in 1737 and large parts of the design was constructed to complement it.

However, over the years, fewer and fewer people have used and visited the market, and in 2014 a review by the National Association of British Market Authorities noted that whilst Lincoln could hold a strong market, it needed redevelopment and investment to do so.

Due to the building’s historic roots, any plans that would affect its heritage needed to be approved by the Planning Committee, as well as Heritage England and other relevant local heritage organisations.

Ultimately, they would approve the proposal, albeit with some conditions:

  • The project must begin within three years, although it is hoped that construction will start in 2022.
  • A sample of every material used will be sent to the council and checked, to ensure that the refurbishment matches the existing site. This includes roofing tiles, bricks, bonds and mortar.
  • Before the floor is fitted, the proposed tile patterns and samples of the materials will be provided to the council.
  • Before the interior and exterior lighting is set up, details of the cables, fittings and brightness levels must be sent to the council.
  • The paints that are set to be used as well as other internal decoration must be sent to the council for approval.
  • The ducting work, windows, market stalls, signs also need to be provided to the council before they are installed.

All of this is required by both the Planning Committee and Heritage England to ensure that the inherent character of the building remains unchanged.

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