Cardigan Market Hall

Cardigan Building Preservation Trust

Ensuring a long-term future for the long-serving Victorian Market Hall

Grade II*

The Grade II*-listed Cardigan Market Hall is a much-loved building and community facility that has been in continuous use as a market since opening in 1860. It is believed to be the first municipal building in Britain to follow Ruskin’s principles, as set out in his book ‘The Stones of Venice’ (1854). It has unusual architectural features; the lower floor displays a medieval character of rounded piers and arched vaults, while the upper market has a Middle Eastern influence, as seen in the banded archways around the lightwell and the building exterior. The lower area of the building was originally used for live animal sales, while the upper floor provided individual market bays for traders.

Cardigan Building Preservation Trust has taken on a long lease of the building and developed a scheme which will complement the neighbouring Guildhall restoration – completed by the Trust in 2009 – while also ensuring the long-term use of the Market Hall as a community facility. As well as an extensive programme of fabric repair and the upgrading of services throughout the building, new works also include improved access through a new entrance tower incorporating a lift, and the provision of public toilets on each level. The Market Hall will provide enhanced facilities for market traders and a new food court area on the upper floor, alongside a programme of public events. The Trust are also keen to encourage new craftspeople and independent businesses into incubator and ‘pop-up’ units, thereby ensuring the sustainability of the Market Hall long into the future.

The AHF has supported the Trust with initial feasibility funding and two Project Development Grants towards the development of the Market Hall project plans, including planning permission and listed building consent processes. This was followed by a Heritage Impact Fund working capital loan of £200,000 to support the cashflow of the £1.6m restoration and modernisation project. As well as AHF grant and loan support, the Trust has raised funds from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Welsh Government, the ERDF Building for the Future, and the Rural Development Programme. The Trust repaid the AHF loan funds in full in late 2023 and final works took place throughout the spring of 2024, with the Market Hall reopening to the public in late June.

https://cardiganbpt.cymru/ 

AHF Funding

Cold Spot Grant - £3,000 (2014)

Project Development Grant - £5,000 (2016)

Project Development Grant - £4,960 (2017)

Heritage Impact Fund Loan - £200,000 (2019)

Photo Credits

Paul Quayle - Alamy Stock Photo

Cardigan Building Preservation Trust