KNUTSFORD Market Hall is to undergo a £200,000 makeover with work set to start in January.

The market on Silk Street will be closed for three months whilst improvements are made.

Arrangements are being made for the Market Butcher and Heathfields Fruit and Veg to operate from temporary facilities.

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Market Hall butcher Mike Hall will trade from temporary facilities whilst the refurbishments are carried outMarket Hall butcher Mike Hall will trade from temporary facilities whilst the refurbishments are carried out (Image: Supplied)

Other traders will have rents waived from October to December to compensate for the loss of trading in the new year.

Ambitious plans for a £700,000 refurbishment to celebrate the market’s 60th birthday were scrapped after the scheme could not be delivered on time or on budget.

Knutsford Town Council has come up with a revised project which has now been approved by councillors.

The new scheme will involve installing new automatic glass doors with security shutters at the front of the building.

An upgraded accessible toilet with baby change facilities will be put in place.

The suspended ceiling will be removed to reveal sky lights.

The stall structures will be stripped out and replaced.

Shutters will be fitted to close off stalls so the market can be used for other purposes.

The interior will be redecorated and a new level floor fitted.

The refreshed Market Hall will have an open central space which will host pop-up traders on market days.

Various events and community activities will also be held when the market is closed to make the building even more of a community asset.

Cllr Bryan Hartley, a member of the Market Hall refurbishment working group, said: “The refurbishment will deliver a more light, modern and flexible Market Hall with renewed stall structures and fresh facilities.

“It will help us attract new shoppers, new traders and create a true community asset.”

Local firm Built by Mode has been appointed as the contractor to deliver the refurbishment.

Cllr April Johnson, who also serves on the working group overseeing the project, said: “Whilst this isn’t as big a project as we originally wanted to deliver, it will still give the Market Hall a new lease of life.

“It will enable us to continue providing a home for small local businesses whilst ensuring the ongoing viability of the asset.”

The project is being funded through a £160,000 grant from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the balance drawn from the Town Council’s market hall and capital reserves.

The market is currently home to nine traders including Barber Pino Tracanna, Heathfields Fruit and Veg, Kanon Thai, Knutsford Mobile, M & J Cards, Nyxcat Crystals, Slipped Discs, Market Butcher and Market Cafe.

Stalls open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8am to 4pm.