Oxford City Council has published its latest plans for the redevelopment of the Covered Market. The City Council invited the market’s traders to discuss the next steps for the project, which began at the end of January.
The regeneration project will cost £8 million, and will involve essential revamps to the 250-year-old building. The Council says it still aims to respect the market’s unique history, charm, and legacy throughout the redevelopment process.
The plans include upgrading the old infrastructure, improving layouts and routes, and making Market Street more welcoming and pedestrian-friendly. The Council stated in a press release that this will “enhance the experience for businesses, locals and visitors for generations to come”.
Over the next few months, the Council aims to continue working closely alongside traders as the plans move to their next stage, with hopes of a new contractor joining the project early this year. This contractor will collaborate with businesses as the project moves through its phases, and will also ensure safe access is maintained, and that any temporary internal diversions are minimised, in order to keep customers moving safely and efficiently through the building.
Plans for the project were approved in 2023, and construction is expected to take place in 2027 at the earliest. The Council predicts that the works will take about 18 months to complete, however exact timings are yet to be determined until on-site inspections begin.
The Covered Market will remain open throughout construction, and the Council has assured traders that none of them will be left without a space. They have also promised any trader affected by the works, including the layout changes, an alternative location within the market. Every trader has been invited to a full traders’ meeting in February, where further details will be discussed with the businesses. Individual meetings have also been taking place with most affected businesses.
The plans involve the relocation of the existing toilet block, an increase in female toilet provision, the creation of a new open court to improve the market’s internal layout and atmosphere, additional retail space, and upgrades to utilities including wiring.
In a press release, the City Council stated that “this is an exciting moment in the market’s history and our best chance to make sure it gets the upgrades and attention it needs to last another 250 years.”
The Covered Market was opened in 1774, and initially consisted of 20 butchers’ shops. It was designed by John Gwynn, also known for designing Magdalen Bridge. It was later rebuilt and enlarged in 1834-40 by Thomas Wyatt the younger, and underwent several phases of building and reconstruction throughout the 19th century onwards. It was listed as grade II in March 2000 and is located within the Central and City Conservation Area.
Since its inception, the market has become an iconic architectural and cultural landmark for the city of Oxford, attracting tourists from across the globe. It is a valuable building in its rarity as a covered market which has been in continual use for hundreds of years, and is still in use today.
