With work nearing completion on the revamp of Great Yarmouth’s Market Place, the town’s two-day market is set to move back to its traditional home from tomorrow (Saturday, April 5).
While the work has been carried out, the two-day market has been based at the northern end of the Market Place but, from tomorrow, will return to its usual spot in the southern piazza area between the Lloyds Bank building and the covered market.
Councillor Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council, said: ‘’We are delighted the two-day market is returning home. This marks a significant step in our ambitious plans to improve the area for residents, visitors and traders.
‘’The Market Place is really coming together, and will complement the covered market and improve the offer for shoppers as well as providing a better environment for our stall holders.
‘’With the library and learning hub – The Place – opening soon in the former Palmers building and the installation of our fantastic new arts trail underway, these are exciting times for the town and demonstrate our commitment to regenerating Great Yarmouth for the benefit of everyone.”
The layout of the two-day market is designed to link it with the covered market by creating a central avenue that flows easily for shoppers and encourages browsing.
The improvements taking place at the Market Place have included the installation of new paving, benches, a water bottle-filling station, lighting and planters as well as de-cluttering and re-landscaping. The aim is to create a high-quality environment, encouraging people to spend more time in the town centre supporting shopping, dining and other activities, while preserving the historic character of the town centre.
Councillor Smith said: ‘’Our contractors, Tarmac, are on target for completion in time for the Easter holidays and the town’s annual Easter Fair. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience as the team works to finish the scheme on schedule.’’
A small amount of work will remain to be completed after Easter and includes repairs to the cobbled car park and the final connection of lighting in the southern end of the Market Place. These works won’t affect the operations of market traders.
The two-day market operates every week on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a small number of traders operating on Fridays.
The Market Place improvements have been funded with finance from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, which aims to renew and reshape town centres and high streets in a way that drives economic growth, improves experience and ensures long-term sustainability.
