Plans have been announced for major restoration work to an historic Newport town centre building. A six figure sum is being spent on the 19th century Market Hall in The Square, which is owned by the Newport Market Company. The Italianate building was purpose built as an indoor market hall in 1860 and later utilised as a town hall and social venue with a court room on the ground floor.
The initial phase of the work starts with the first floor ballroom at a cost of over £120,000. The company’s spokesman said “We have been looking at ways of making use of the ballroom for some considerable time. It has always been a challenge to find a tenant and the room has been unoccupied for over 18 years.
The ballroom remains a magnificent space benefiting from high ceilings with Cornice edging and three ceiling roses, together with a sprung dance floor, but sadly it is now unsuitable for modern user requirements”.
The spokesman confirmed that the company had decided to bring the ballroom back to its former glory but at the same time take the opportunity to incorporate 21st century facilities. Telford and Wrekin Council has already backed the plans by giving Listed Building consent to the internal enhancements that are being made.
It is understood that a deal has been agreed in principle with a prospective tenant to the take a long term lease for the room. Existing tenants of the ground floor shops will not be affected by the renovation work.
The company’s spokesman also revealed that once this phase of the project had been completed, the Newport Market Company would be considering plans for the modernisation of the indoor market buildings on Stafford Street. The company said that when commercially viable, they were prepared to invest in Newport’s high street despite the threat from out of town stores and internet selling.
