The transformation of Brighouse Market is now underway as part of the £19.1 million Government-funded Town Deal being delivered by Calderdale Council and the Brighouse Town Deal Board.
Demolition of the existing building on the canalside site has already begun, with West Yorkshire-based Triton Construction leading on construction of the new market, on behalf of Calderdale Council.
The transformed permanent market building will have 21 fixed stalls, each with water, drainage and power. There will be space to sit, rest and meet as part of an attractive and vibrant market, supporting the Council’s aspiration to open the market on more days of the week in the future.
The market will include 19 additional pop-up stalls, which can be removed to accommodate small events. Other features will include secure, decorative gates, new cycle parking outside the market, and new entrances and exits to provide better connections to the town.
Work is expected to take around a year and, during that time, the Open Market will continue to trade from a temporary site on Daisy Street car park which is already home to the usual stallholders ensuring the food, drinks, crafts and other items on sale each Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday remain available.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“As project lead for the transformation of the market in Brighouse, we’re delighted to see work underway on this exciting project. The improvements will transform the building into a modern, new facility, benefitting traders and shoppers, with the potential to allow for increased opening.
“The market project is one part of a package of investment across the town centre which includes new pedestrian areas, resurfacing of roads and footways and new seating and planting.
“These improvements, being delivered in partnership with the Town Deal Board, will make Brighouse an even better place to visit encouraging more people to spend more time and money in the town.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Silvia Dacre, said:
“The exciting proposals for Brighouse Market are now becoming a reality, as work begins on the upgraded facilities to attract visitors, better support existing stallholders and encourage new traders.
“Whilst work is underway, the market is trading as normal in its temporary home of Daisy Street car park. We’ve received some great feedback about the temporary location and when traders return to the new market building, they can look forward to improved facilities to make their trading experience even better.”
Paul Clarkson, managing director of Triton Construction, said:
“We’re incredibly pleased to be collaborating on this project with Calderdale Council, right here in our own backyard, and to be part of the transformative regeneration efforts for Brighouse.
“This project aligns perfectly with our commitment to fostering local growth, enhancing community spaces, and delivering positive change. We look forward to seeing Brighouse flourish through this initiative and bringing our expertise and dedication to every step of the process.
“We aim to create a lasting impact that both honours the town’s heritage and builds toward a vibrant, prosperous future.”
Colin Gordon, member of the Brighouse Town Deal Board and owner of Colin’s Café on Brighouse Market, said:
“A huge thank you to everyone who has crossed Anchor Bridge to find us in Daisy Street car park over the next few weeks in our temporary home. It has been brilliant to see familiar and new faces as we continue to serve the community.
“Please keep supporting us as we watch the work going on at the permanent Canalside site which we’re all excited to return to as Brighouse’s transformed Open Market next year.”
The market revitalisation is one of the Brighouse Town Deal projects which will transform the town centre over the coming years to create an even better Brighouse by delivering:
• A more attractive, safer and cleaner town centre so those who shop, visit and enjoy spend longer, spend more and return often
• A better, warmer welcome for those arriving in the town by any means, and improved links between the town centre and green spaces to provide access to nature and encourage health and wellbeing improvements by making walking and cycling more attractive.
• A place to come together providing a community space at the heart of the town in the historic Thornton Square
• A focus on the future with investment in apprenticeships, skills and training building on the town’s manufacturing heritage and work to encourage trade and investment.
Work is continuing to shape and finalise the plans for the wider improvements to the town centre and bring a contractor on board.
The Brighouse Town Deal is a joint project between the town’s private and voluntary sector, community and residents’ groups, Calderdale Council and Calderdale College.
For more information about the Brighouse Town Deal, visit www.brighousedeal.co.uk and www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk, which also includes details of other major projects across Calderdale.