Funding secured for Lincoln Central Market refurbishment proposals

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Funding has been secured to facilitate feasibility works for the restoration and repurposing of the Grade II listed Lincoln Central Market.

Secured by City of Lincoln Council, the funding through Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme now enables initial works to begin to create a new and updated vibrant, distinct and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology.

The proposed interior of Lincoln Central Market. Image: City of Lincoln Council.

The new proposals include:

  • The demolition and replacement of the existing market WC’s and the Butchers/Fishmongers Corridor
  • The creation the new open shopfront to Sincil Street – to enhance the general retail sales experience to become more of a ‘Farm Shop in the City’
  • A new extension to enable a new first floor space to be formed, with a balcony area facing onto Sincil Street
  • A new mezzanine level to the western end of the market accessed by stairs and platform lift, providing additional commercial space and greater flexibility of use
  • Opening up the principal facades to the north and east through the insertion of new glazing in the “blind” arches and with associated internal alterations to relocate stalls away from the glazing.
  • The introduction of new perimeter market stalls to the western end of the Market Hall to replicate the existing 1937 stalls located to the eastern end of the Market Hall.
  • Public realm improvements to City Square connecting with the River Witham, High Street and Sincil Street

The city council has also submitted a bid under the government’s Town Deal Fund, which if approved could, subject to funds being allocated, see the works begin in 2021.

Image: City of Lincoln Council.

Kieron Manning, Assistant Director for Planning at City of Lincoln Council said: “The current market building would definitely benefit from the restoration of this valuable heritage asset.

“Currently, the building suffers from a poor trading environment, and we hope this scheme will deliver new jobs to the area, as well as increase footfall to businesses nearby.

“The proposals would provide an opportunity to repurpose the building and diversify uses inside the market catering for demand for food and beverages, local produce and business/craft workspace.”

David Walsh, Principal Advisor at Historic England added: “We are very pleased to support this fantastic project which gets underway the substantial investment Historic England and the City of Lincoln Council will be making in Lincoln in the next few years as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone.”