Final preparations are being made as Barrow Market traders get set to move into a new home while work starts on the the multi-million-pound revamp of the Market Hall.
The traders will start moving into the specially-created temporary market next month.
The last day of trading in Barrow Market will be Saturday August 10, with the new units open for business on Monday August 12.
It is estimated that the work in the Market Hall will take two years to complete.
Some traders will be located in refurbished units in the Mall, facing Dalton Road. The remainder will be units within the former Meat Hall, however work is still taking place there for a few more months.
Those traders will be in special units in the outdoor market on Portland Walk for the time being. During the main refurbishment works on the Market Hall, the Meat Hall will remain open, however access will only be from Dalton Road.
The market hall will remain open until August 10 and the Portland Walk, Stephen Street and Duke Street entrances still in use.
Councillor Virginia Taylor, cabinet member for sustainable communities and localities, said: “The new units look fantastic and I can’t wait to see everybody moved in and creating a buzz around temporary market.
“We do not underestimate the challenges the move will bring to our wonderful traders. We thank them for working with us to make the temporary market a success and for buying into our long-term vision for Barrow Market to be a vibrant and successful part of a reinvigorated town centre.
“There is a real and emerging sense of positivity around Barrow town centre. Our new temporary market with easy access off Dalton Road, and thereafter the revitalised Market Hall itself, will demonstrate our commitment to support a town centre people can be proud of and that everyone wants to visit.”
The work is part of a £16 million government-funded scheme to reinvigorate the Market Hall, neighbouring arts and entertainment venue The Forum and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre, bringing the community together and boosting the local economy.
As well as transforming the market and The Forum, a Town Centre Community Hub will be created within The Forum which will offer a welcoming new refurbished space which showcases local culture, activities and events, provides meeting, makers and entrepreneurial space.
Public realm improvements on Duke Street and at the Portland walk entrance of Barrow Market Hall will also be carried out.
