Covered Market in Oxford gets £6.8m funding package for 'masterplan'

The funding package was agreed by cabinet at a meeting yesterday.

The project includes the entrances in High Street and Market Street being transformed, larger seating areas inside, and a new space outside in a new pedestrian-friendly Market Street.

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The regeneration will respect the unique character, heritage and history of the Covered Market, which first opened fully in 1774, while securing the long-term future of the Grade II-listed prized Council asset.

The set of proposals has come together into a “Masterplan”, prepared over a period of two years, involving extensive consultation with market traders, residents and other stakeholders.

City council leader Susan Brown said: "This is a large sum of money but it is a necessary spend in order to safeguard the future of one of the city’s most unique features. This is an investment in the city’s economy as well as one of its assets.

“We want more people to come and visit Oxford’s Covered Market and spend more time there when they do. 

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“Shopping habits have changed and towns and cities are changing as a result, with less pure retail and more multi-purpose destinations.

“There are a number of examples around the country of extremely successful market regeneration projects, where sympathetic changes have revitalised existing spaces and made them ‘must-see’ destinations.

"Learning from them and working with market traders, experts and local residents, we have built an exciting masterplan for the Covered Market which I look forward to seeing delivered.”

There are three main improvements in the Masterplan: 

1. A ‘pedestrian-friendly’ space on Market Street

This will be immediately outside the market entrances in Market Street, with the introduction of planters, seating and outdoor stalls.

The public toilets are proposed to be modernised and relocated. The ‘back entrance’ to the Market will therefore be transformed into an attractive, green and accessible space to relax in the city centre. 

The service yard, or loading bay for traders, will stay in its existing location, so the proposal will rely on creating a period in the day when vehicles (apart from emergency services) will not be able to access some of Market Street.

2. New communal space opening onto Market Street

The market will have a new and much more visible opening from an improved Market Street into a large, welcoming seating area, which will function as a public square during the day and a flexible event space at different times. This will bring more light into the market and improve the entrance space.

With generous amounts of seating, it will be much easier for visitors to spend more time in the Covered Market. 

Two existing units in the least historically significant part of the Market will need to be removed in order for this public square to be created.

3. Improved entrances on High Street and Cornmarket Street 

Lighter entrances, with better signage and a new floor surface will encourage more visitors to walk through from popular shopping areas nearby. The council is seeking ways to improve the entrances which will benefit the Market and the High Street more generally, and is working with the adjacent landowners to action this where appropriate.

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The market’s traders offer the widest-ever to date selection of specialist artisan produce, cafés, bars, gifts, experiences, fashion and lifestyle products.

Four businesses have recently joined this unique and much-loved community – Rozana, A Woollen Cosy Life, Soctopus and Tap Social, although long-serving butcher Feller's has announced it is closing.

In addition, in July and August 2022, the Council held a consultation on a trial of extended opening hours at Oxford’s Covered Market, which found the majority of respondents, including traders and members of the public, favour later opening hours.

Key findings:

• 70% of traders expressed an interest in extending their own hours during any pilot scheme (but would first need to consider staffing issues)
• 70% of members of the public said they would visit more often if later opening hours also involved more events and opportunities to eat and drink as well as shop
• Eating in (86%) and having a drink (73%) were cited as the most popular reason to visit
• Most popular activities suggested by the public were trader-led events (e.g., tastings, ‘meet the trader’ talks) and music, both at 74% of those surveyed, followed by comedy (52%) and film screenings (47%).

READ AGAIN: New pop-up shops at Covered Market 

Separate to the masterplan funding, the City Council is already investing £3.1m in the Covered Market. 

This investment includes £1.8m on on-going work to secure the roof for another 60 to 80 years, and £1.3m for internal refurbishment and decorations. 

The Covered Market project has also received £300,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF