Preston’s covered Victorian markets

A six-figure sum is being paid out to restore Preston’s historic market canopy.

The same contractors working on the restoration of the Fish Market have been given the £620,000 contract.

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FPE Global Limited are due to begin work in the coming months and the main grade II listed canopy is due to take six months to restore.

The colour scheme for the columns is to be a combination of dark and light greys – matching the revamped Fish Market.

Related: Fencing goes up as contractors begin canopy works on Fish Market

Plans for the canopy, which is to cost £620,000, also include adding low-energy lighting to showcase its structure.

The council’s director of environment Adrian Phillips said: “We are pleased to announce FPE will be continuing with the great work they have done on the Fish Market Canopy on the larger 1875 Market Canopy.

“The work undertaken on the Fish Market canopy has been of the highest quality and we look forward to FPE continuing with this standard of work over the next 6 months so traders, customers and the people of Preston can enjoy both these iconic structures restored to their former glory.”

Funding for the scheme is coming directly from Preston City Council, who are ‘imminently’ about to table their full plans for a £50m cinema and restaurant complex along with the Indoor Market moving outdoors under the restored market canopy.

The covered market is to include a glazed interior, protecting the permanent stalls from the elements

Related: Six pictures show new Preston Markets design

FPE Global Site Operations Director, Roger Speakman said: “FPE Global is delighted to be awarded the contract for the refurbishment of the historic Grade II listed 1875 Market canopy following on from our work on restoring the Fish Market canopy for Preston City Council.

“We will continue 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 and complementing the nearly completed Fish Market Canopy.”

The city council said all indoor, outdoor, flea markets and car boots would remain operational through the work. The canopies are likely to be restored in phases along the length of the structure.

In March 2014 the city council was unsuccessful in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund to pay for the canopies to be restored. A city council spokesman confirmed all the funding was coming from the council’s capital funds budget.

What do you think of the deal? Have you seen the work on the Fish Market? Let us know your views in the comments below