The final set of historic gates has been reinstalled at Halifax Borough Market, completing the restoration project.
The eight sets of gates used to secure the market are all original, meaning they’re over 120 years old. To restore the gates to their former glory, each set of gates has been removed and restored by specialist contractors, TOPP & Co.
The process started with the Market Arcade entrance gates in February 2017 and finished this week, as the final set of gates returned to the Market Street entrance.
All the gates have been cleaned back to bare metal before repairs have been made using traditional techniques and methods. The gates have then been repainted using specialist paints in a colour scheme agreed by Historic England.
While the gates have been down, the stone work in each entrance to the market has been reset and a new hinge system has installed to make the opening and closing of the gates safer and easier.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Strategy, Cllr Barry Collins, said:
“The newly restored market gates provide a warm welcome to the market, with their bright colours really lifting the appearance of the entrances.
“The restoration of the gates is just the start of a major programme of investment at the Borough Market. We’ve ambitious plans to improve the facilities within the market hall, for both shoppers and traders, whilst retaining the distinctive character of the Grade II* listed building.”
Work has now started to clear stalls in the Albany Arcade section of the market hall, to create a flexible space which can be used for entertainment; to provide additional seating; for pop up stalls or even for start-up businesses.
The Council is also investigating opportunities to bring the unique ‘Streets in the Sky’ back into use and to open up the area around the clock so that visitors can enjoy the Victorian splendour of the market hall as it was originally intended.
The investment in Halifax Borough Market is part of Calderdale Council’s Next Chapter. For more information about these and other exciting developments in Calderdale, visit www.calderdalenextchapter.co.uk(external link) or #cdalenextchapter on Twitter.
The Next Chapter is helping to form Calderdale’s Vision 2024. But where do we want to be by 2024? What’s our ambition and what will be different? Get involved with the debate on twitter with #VisionCdale2024 and find out more at www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/council/vision-2024