Future of Ellesmere Market Hall secured
The immediate future of a town's market hall has been secured after the company which runs it signed a new five-year lease.
Altogether Ellesmere, which runs the town’s market hall, has signed a lease which will run until March 2023.
It comes as work is soon to start on improving the access to the Scotland Street building.
Work, which was granted planning permission earlier this year, will see the current side access of the market hall enclosed, providing some shelter for visitors leaving and entering the facility.
Chairman of Altogether Ellesmere, Lincoln McMullan, said he hopes the improvements will also make the venue more marketable for different events.
"The existing lease was up in March next year so we have now signed a new one up until 2023," he said.
"The money is now in the kitty to be able to build the new enclosure for the entrance on the side of the building which will hopefully make the whole thing warmer.
"I have instructed the builder to commence work. He has another job at the moment but it should be completed before the really bad weather sets in.
"Hopefully it will make the building more marketable for us. We had a wedding recently and they said having it in the hall and doing things themselves saved them thousands of pounds.
"Hiring out the building is improving but we want more bookings. It is a great venue for weddings, christenings and parties."
The approved plans will only affect the side entrance, not the large front doors. They will see the ramped entrance enclosed in a clay tile roof, horizontal timber cladding wall and a brick plinth to match the current building.
On the side, there will be two new windows, while the front would feature a new door.
Concerns have previously been raised by Mr McMullan that the town's Tuesday market, which is held in the market hall, was not attracting enough support.
"It is still going despite not getting the support we would like," he said.
"Most traders are staying with us but one trader who did flowers is packing it in as they feel it is no longer worthwhile.
"I think all markets in other towns are struggling because they are not getting enough support.
"Today you have large supermarkets, Amazon and things being delivered to your front door.
"But generally I would say Ellesmere is a good spot for shops to remain open. If they do go they get filled pretty quickly."
