Investigation works at the Fish Market have been ongoing since the summer
Full restoration of Preston’s historic Fish Market is to begin from January.
The grade II listed canopy is the first step in the multi-million pound Preston Markets project.
More than £400,000 is being spent on the Fish Market works, with another £60,000 being spent on consultancy.
FPE Site Operations have been appointed to start work which is due to take approximately between four to five months.
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Councillor Peter Rankin, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “We will soon see work beginning on the Markets Quarter with the restoration of the Fish Market canopy marking the start of our multi-million pound investment into Preston’s Markets Quarter.
“The Fish Market canopy is a wonderful structure dating from mid-1920s and it’s very much a Preston landmark.
“There will be some disruption to trading under the Fish Market canopy whilst the works are underway, but there is enough space in the markets area to accommodate all outdoor and car boot traders.
“We are all very excited to see the Fish Market Canopy brought back to its former glory.”
The work to the 90-year-old structure will see some changes to what markets take place.
Currently the fish market is home to the car boot and flea market, these will continue to operate from the remainder of the 1875 Covered Market canopy and parts of the Fish Market as it stays open.
FPE site operations director Roger Speakman said: “FPE Site Operations look forward to working on this historic grade II listed cast iron structure for Preston City Council.
“We aim to utilise our unique skills set, attained over a long period of time working on listed structures around the country, to provide a refurbished structure that will last well into the future. This will further embed the Fish Market into the city’s fabric.”
What do you think of the restoration? Are you a market trader? Let us know your views in the comments below