Pictures show plans to transform 130-year-old Cardiff Market at cost of £6 million
Further details have been released about how a major project to restore Cardiff’s indoor market will look and be funded.
Cardiff Council’s cabinet members will next week be asked to approve a funding strategy for the restoration of the Grade II-listed building.
Original design features will be revealed along with traditional entrances being restored, original stalls and the roof will also be repaired.
The project, which is estimated to cost £6.2m, will also see a new seating area installed and improvements made to the Victorian drainage system in the building.
Council leader Huw Thomas, said: “This is about the restoration of one of our most iconic city centre buildings.
“There are 130 years of history under the roof of Cardiff Market, history that these proposals aim to protect, preserve and futureproof, so that the market remains the bustling heart of the city centre for years to come.”
If funding is successfully secured, it is hoped that restoration work can begin next summer.
In principle, funding has already been agreed from the Welsh Government and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Other external grant funding will also be sought.
It is proposed that the market will remain open during the restoration work, which could take place on a phased basis, with aisles of tenants being temporarily relocated to units on the Hayes for up to 12 weeks.
A council statement says: “To enable the delivery of the new ground-floor seating area, proposed for the central block of the northern aisle, a small number of traders will be relocated within the market.
“To ensure that displaced tenants are offered the best alternative locations in the market, the council will reserve any vacated stalls until the completion of the restoration for these tenants.”
The council has identified a number of potential revenue implications which could be faced as a result of the project, including loss of rental income from tenants during temporary relocation, additional costs of alternative accommodation, and increased rental income assumed post-restoration.
Scheduled rent reviews at Cardiff Market have been on hold since the Covid-19 pandemic and traders have not seen rents increase since 2017.
Cardiff Council said rents will continue to be held at existing levels throughout the restoration project, however scheduled rent reviews are expected to restart once the works are complete.
The council’s statement continues: “Historically, rents have been kept below market value for comparable city centre spaces.
“Whilst any changes in rent as part of this review post-restoration will be informed by a market value analysis, it is also proposed to minimise the potential impact of the rent review on any current tenant in the market.
“As part of this any rent increase will be implemented on a stepped basis over three years.”
The full list of works, subject to funding being secured, will include:
The restoration of the Trinity Street and St Mary Street entrances
The repair and restoration of the roof, original windows and external elevations
Replacement of glazing and tiles
Restoration of the market interior, including improvements to the historic stalls
Removal of a 1960s ‘false floor’ at the Trinity Street entrance to reveal the original design
Roof-mounted solar panels, and integrated battery storage
Repairs to the H Samuel market clock
A new 70-seat eating area on the ground floor
A new activity and education room
Improvements to the original Victorian drainage system
The installation of energy-efficient LED lighting
The proposals for Cardiff Market will be scrutinised by the council’s economy and culture scrutiny committee on Tuesday, 19 September.
Cabinet members will meet to discuss and make a decision on the market on Thursday, 21 September.
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