Ellesmere market hall roof repairs to begin
It has stood proud in a town for more than a century – and now work on a market hall could ensure it will stay standing for a lot longer.
Repair work is starting on Ellesmere Market Hall's roof to make it watertight.
All Together Ellesmere is monitoring the work that is being carried out on the Scotland Street building by Shropshire Council. The market hall is owned by the council and leased by All Together Ellesmere.
Lincoln McMullan, chairman of All Together Ellesmere, said: "The scaffolding is up and work will begin shortly. Shropshire Council has said the work will be finished ready for the Food and Drink Festival on the weekend of June 20 and 21.
"Parts of the roof have needed replacing for some time now and we have water coming in. They are replacing all the plastic panels and making it watertight.
"Shropshire Council is paying for the work but I have not seen the budget to know how much it will cost."
He added: "I will be keeping an eye on the progress of the repair works."
Markets have been held in Ellesmere since 1221, when the first market charter was granted by Henry III. The Tuesday market and other bookings will continue to be held in the building while the work takes place.
Mr McMullan added: "The repair work will be done in sections. We have to keep trading to keep generating an income."
All Together Ellesmere took over the running of the market hall, which had been operating at a loss, in 2013 from Shropshire Council. Work to tidy up the building after the change involved creating a new kitchen thanks to a grant of £11,620 from Shropshire Council's Market Towns Revitalisation Programme.
