Work begins in Ellesmere Port town centre on the biggest investment for decades
Visualisation of Ellesmere Port Market exterior view.
Activities for the £13m government funded town centre regeneration project for Ellesmere Port will increase this month as work progresses on three fronts, Ellesmere Port Market, active travel routes and housing site assembly.
As part of the £8m market transformation, temporary stalls are being set up allowing traders to continue to trade whilst part of the market is closed off to allow the works to be carried out safely and to minimise disruption.
Councillor Nathan Pardoe, interim Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:
I am delighted that we’ve reached this milestone for the transformation of Ellesmere Port town centre. It’s the biggest investment in the town centre in decades, made possible by Cheshire West & Chester Council. It will create a new market, new active travel routes and get sites ready for quality new homes for local people. Although disruption is inevitable with work like this, Ellesmere Port Market and the wider town centre will remain open throughout. Please continue to support your favourite traders and businesses as we make progress with the works.
During phase one of the works, for approximately 60 weeks, the main entrances from the car park and Port Arcades will be closed, however external and internal signage will be in place to direct customers to the remaining entrances and around the temporary layout to find traders’ stalls and seating areas.
A new Ellesmere Port Market website provides updates as the works proceed:
The Council has worked closely with traders to reduce the impact of the works and ensure they can continue to trade. Some stalls will remain where they are and others will be moved to temporary locations, with all traders guaranteed stalls during the works and once the refurbishment is completed in autumn 2026.
Market improvements will include a new building façade, photovoltaic solar panels on the roof (installation completed this month), new toilets, seating, improved layout and public WiFi, plus a new flexible events space will be created in the Flea Market area. Externally there will be a new al fresco area and landscaping along with cycle parking and seating.
Work on new active travel routes to provide improved walking, wheeling and cycling links will start at the end of March to connect Ellesmere Port railway station into the heart of the town centre, following extensive public consultation held during 2023 and 2024.
A cycle route will be introduced along Cromwell Road, there will be speed humps and signs with a new 20mph speed limit, a new roundabout will be installed at the junction of Cromwell Road and Wellington Road North to provide a safer environment for cyclists using the road that will allow access to the Market.
A new signalised pedestrian crossing will be added to Whitby Road / Cromwell Road junction, as well as improved side road crossings along Whitby Road. This includes re-aligning kerbs and providing new tactile paving and dropped kerbs at locations that have no facilities.
Improvements will also take place along Wellington Road South, with 20mph speed limit and signage, the installation of a new toucan crossing and a new zebra crossing.
The third element of the project to create sites for new low-carbon housing will take a major step forward with the demolition of the former Council offices in Civic Way.
The complex work starts in April to safely take the building down and clear the site. Prior to works commencing, the site will be secured with fencing, all non-structural elements will be removed and separated to ensure maximum recycling opportunities.
To reduce disturbance, the works on site will only take place from 8am until 6pm on Mondays to Fridays; and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays with no work permitted on Sundays or bank holidays.
The contractor will be required to minimise disruption and take steps to reduce noise and dust where possible. The site will also be kept secure throughout the works, which are expected to take six to eight months.
The Ellesmere Port Town Centre regeneration project is funded by the government, Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government through a £13,378,478 allocation.
Further details about regeneration plans for Ellesmere Port, please visit: