City of Lincoln Council, alongside its letting agents Eddisons Incorporating Banks Long & Co, has officially opened applications for businesses wishing to trade in the newly renovated Cornhill Market.
Currently undergoing a major transformation by Lindum Group, formerly known as Lincoln Central Market, the Cornhill Market is set to open in the autumn, with traders beginning to open in the market from 1 October.
This exciting regeneration project aims to create a perfect blend of a traditional city marketplace and a high-quality food hall, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for visitors and traders alike.
To achieve this, Lindum has remodelled the interior of the market to look and feel modern, including installing new market stalls and modern technologies, while the original exterior has been retained.
Funded by a £5.9 million investment from the government’s Towns Fund programme through the ‘Be Lincoln Town Deal’, and additional funding of £918,000 from Historic England, the renovation project includes opening blind arches, constructing a new mezzanine floor and relocating existing butcher and fishmonger stalls to the main market hall.
The previously drafty roof has been replaced with a more thermally efficient identical version to keep the market cool in the summer and warmer in the winter and a large air source heat pump has been installed to reduce running costs.
Freddie Chambers, Lindum Group Managing Director, said: “The market is making good progress and we are really starting to see the excellent blend between the original structure and the modern interior.
“It is fantastic news that the new Cornhill Market is starting to take applications for traders, which is a big step towards bringing life back to what is a very special building to the people of Lincoln. We look forward to seeing the doors to the market open again and to see it return to the vibrant hub of activity that it once was.”
The new Cornhill Market will be known for its exceptional produce and the unforgettable experience it offers.
It has also been confirmed as part of the regeneration project, Caribbean-inspired bar and restaurant Turtle Bay will open its first Lincolnshire venue on the site later this year.
Lindum will also be repaving the area surrounding the market, including the adjacent City Square as part of the works.
Cllr Naomi Tweddle, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for established and up and coming businesses to open in a new central hub for local produce in the city.
“We are very excited to be opening the Cornhill Market this autumn, alongside the newly paved City Square.
“The vision for the market has, for some time, been to design a building of destination, an attractive and modern retailing and leisure space, offering a mix of stalls and delivering a place where people want to visit and dwell rather than simply pass by en-route to the High Street or the Transport links in the city.
“Thanks to funding from government’s Towns Fund programme through Be Lincoln and Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), The Cornhill Market will create a sustainable future for this important historical asset.”
Letting agents Eddisons Incorporating Banks Long & Co, who will be taking trader applications on behalf of City of Lincoln Council said: “We are looking for distinctive independent businesses that can contribute to a diverse array of eating and drinking options. We have a central seating area where visitors can enjoy a meal or some drinks or opt to take produce away to savour at home.
“We are also seeking traders with a passion for non-food products and services. Our vision is to showcase a selection of non-food options, potentially including hand-crafted gifts, jewellery, homeware, original artwork, a repair shop, ceramics and flowers.
“To keep the market atmosphere fresh and dynamic, we aim to incorporate a rotating variety of pop-up stalls for both food and non-food retail, ensuring that every visit to the Cornhill Market offers something new and exciting.”
Liam Scully, Chair of the Be Lincoln Town Deal Board, added: “By restoring and repurposing the market building, the new Cornhill Market will create a modern and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology.
“The Be Lincoln Town Deal Board are proud to support the creation of this anchor destination with the Cornhill Quarter, which is emerging as a prime leisure and retail area in the city.”
The work was procured through the Pagabo Medium Works framework. Adam Brumfitt, Regional Relationship Manager at Pagabo, said: “It’s great to see another Pagabo procured project almost ready to open to the public. We’re delighted that our Medium Works Framework provided City of Lincoln Council with a quick and compliant route to appoint Lindum Group as the lead contractor for this scheme. We can’t wait to see it open its doors this autumn.”
