Indoor market traders move into temporary home

Rotherham's indoor market has temporarily relocated to a new building in the town centre to allow for upgrade work.

Traders from the Howard Street site have spent the past week moving stock to the new Market Hall building on Drummond Street which opens to the public on Friday.

Work will now begin revamping the existing market which will reopen in 2027 as a fully refurbished facility, providing an improved long-term home for traders and customers.

The project is part of a multi million-pound development of the area which will include a new central library plus a community hub and a revamped outdoor market that could be used for exhibitions and events.

The entrance to the Market Hall will be on the corner of Drummond Street and Eastwood Lane, with access through landscaped gardens and a new outdoor space where a number of market stalls will be based.

A temporary mobility access entrance will also be available on Henry Street opposite Tesco, and clear signage will help residents, shoppers and families find their way.

The scheme, which will total more than £46m, is funded by the government and Rotherham Council.

Additional funding was provided by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority after the council reported "a sharp rise" in costs following further design and survey work.

Traders have previously expressed concerns about low footfall in the indoor market and uncertainty about rent prices and pitch locations in the Market Hall.

Councillor John Williams, Rotherham Council's Cabinet Member for Transport, Jobs and the Local Economy, said: "This move means our traders can continue serving customers locally while improvement works to the current indoor market take place.

"We know how important the market is to Rotherham, both for shoppers and for the businesses who rely on it. The priority has been to keep that offer together, accessible and open throughout."

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