Oxford City Council has reserved over £1 million for the purpose of “future-proofing” the city’s Covered Market. This sum will bring the Council’s total investment in the site to £8 million.
The money has been allocated for the purposes of improving the sustainability of the indoor market’s drainage and electrics and utilities, and strengthening the location’s accessibility and appeal by refining its lighting, signage and decoration.
Moreover, members of the Council also hope to remove any outdated services and fittings and to improve the environmental friendliness of the infrastructure by increasing its electrical capacity and arranging low-carbon initiatives.
There are also plans to create a public square, a seating area, to restructure the service yard, and to improve the entrances on both High Street and Broad Street. The Covered Market itself will remain open throughout these changes.
The Council has said that they aim to ensure that the market “remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for independent businesses, residents and visitors for generations to come.”
The Covered Market was first constructed in 1774 and has been a renowned and esteemed element of the city ever since. It was designated a Grade II listed building in 2000, and was visited by Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2017.
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth commented: “Throughout its long history, Oxford’s Covered Market has gone through transformations to ensure its continued relevance and character. This additional funding will enable another of those historic milestones, shaping the Market for future generations.”
Hollingsworth also said: “We understand there will be concerns about disruption, so we will work closely with tenants and stakeholders throughout the process to keep them informed and involved. We’ll listen to their needs and make sure we do everything we can to meet them as the project is planned and then delivered.”
The Council will organise design and planning applications later this year, and on-site work at the Covered Market will begin in late 2026.
