Temporary homes for Barrow’s displaced market traders have begun arriving in the town.
The first delivery of shipping containers arrived in the town on Thursday.
Westmorland & Furness Council said the 55-year-old building – and the next-door Forum – had reached the end of their lives and it was no longer viable to retain them.
Experts have carried out detailed assessments on the buildings, the authority said, which showed that to reopen either or both of the buildings – even temporarily – would lead to expensive and extensive remedial work.
It added: “Wet weather has also highlighted some immediate issues with significant leaks in the roof of the market, which has brought forward plans to close the whole building.”
Westmorland & Furness Council said: “More units will be delivered after Easter and, once fitted out, traders displaced when the Barrow Market building closed will be able to operate from them.
“We want to stress that these units are a short-term solution, being installed to enable those traders displaced by the market closure to restart trading as quickly as possible.
“The units will not form part of the proposed Market Village which has been discussed as a meanwhile option, while the Forum and Market Hall buildings are demolished.
“The Market Village will be a bespoke solution, custom designed to fit and fill the available space, and will include event space, greenery and places for the public to dwell.”
