Architects appointed to Ellesmere Port Market project
Ellesmere Port Market will be transformed as part of a Levelling Up Fund project that will also see a new Active Travel route from Ellesmere Port train station and preparations for new low carbon town centre homes. The project is using £13.4m from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities plus additional match funding from Cheshire West and Chester Council, delivering a total investment of £14.8m.
Architects AHR have been appointed to the Ellesmere Port market transformation. With offices in Manchester and across the UK, AHR worked with Cheshire West and Chester Council to design the award-winning Chester Northgate project including Chester Market. Their other recent projects include: The UK Hydrographic Office in Taunton, The Spine, the new northern home for the Royal College of Physicians in Liverpool and the University of the West of England School of Engineering building in Bristol.
Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:
I welcome AHR to Ellesmere Port, who will be continuing the positive work that has already taken place following conversations with market traders, customers and residents. At the centre of the Levelling Up Fund project is work on the market building to bring it up to the expectations of market traders and customers alike. There will be landscaping around the building as a part of the new active travel route to better link the market with the train station. There’s also new cycle parking areas to complement the scheme, and preparation work for new carbon neutral homes along Coronation Road and the old Civic Way offices that will be demolished.
During the research period 70 people contributed to the conversations including over 40 customers. Some of their comments:
We really need to support the market. Towns need markets to give choices from big supermarkets and chain stores.
Markets are an important part of the community.
We are only a small town; doesn’t mean we can’t have it a place people want to go to.
Dominic Manfredi, Director, AHR said:
We are delighted to have been selected by Cheshire West and Chester Council to design the transformation of Ellesmere Port Market. We look forward to working closely with the local community and key project stakeholders to turn this vision into a reality.
Councillor Pardoe added:
The Council is working on creating a new shopping and leisure experience, informed by public opinion, that celebrates the proud shipping history of Ellesmere Port as part of a more contemporary design. There will be more opportunities for residents and market traders to have their say as the plans, ideas and visions from AHR are being prepared for a planning application to be submitted in the autumn.