Work on taking away part of Preston’s current Indoor Market is beginning as the first spade was put in the ground on the multi-million pound project.

Part of the concrete balcony of the marketing building is due to be dismantled to allow huge sheets of glass to be brought in for the new Indoor Market under the city’s historic covered market.

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It will be the first section of the Indoor Market demolished ahead of the full demolition of the 1960s building to be replaced by a cinema and restaurant complex.

Dignitaries from Preston City Council, Conlon Construction and the Frank Whittle Partnership were on hand to help mark the first spade going into the ground under the covered market.

Work on the site has begun as boards go up around the site and traders have been moved under the Fish Market.

Sam Livesey of the Preston Market Traders Association said there had been a few grumbles.

He said: “It’s taken a bit of getting used to but we’re a lot happier now the new signage has gone up.

“That’s making it really clear to customers that we’re still open for business as usual and also directing them clearly to where we are.

“We’re all just looking forward to the new space being open now.”

Conlon Construction are working to remove the concrete balcony so work can start on the Indoor Market side of the project, but this doesn’t stop the Birley Street side beginning.

Director Michael Conlon said: “We just need to be careful with the concrete, as the way it was put together in the 60s can sometimes mean it’s a difficult job to get it to come away.

“We need to remove the concrete overhang as we’ll be bringing huge glass sheets and poles in through the gaps in the pillars and we’ll need the turning circle.”

Read more: Watch how Preston Markets canopy restoration unfolded

The new Indoor Market structure, costing around £4million, is due to take up around half of the current covered market and will have around 25 stalls within it.

Behind it there’s planned to be an events space, as the Lancaster Road end of the covered market will retain more of the space compared to the Orchard Street end.

Read more: Snapshot of Preston Indoor Market being captured for eternity

Leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Rankin said: “I’m glad to see the work really coming on now and I want to see it finished before Christmas, that’s the aim.

“It’s a very important project for the city and for the traders as well.

“We’re working hard to keep the traders informed and work with them, and I thank them for their patience as the scheme progresses.”

What do you think about the Markets scheme? Let us know your views in the comments below

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