Workmen begin to put up scaffolding on the covered market on Friday Pic: Paul Melling and the new look Markets plan

The new look Preston Market should be built by a local firm, say Preston City Council.

A £4m contract to revamp and restore the Outdoor Covered Market has been put out to tender.

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It’s part of the £50m Markets scheme which will see the existing Indoor Market , car park and majority of Lancastria House demolished to make way for a new cinema and restaurant complex.

Leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Rankin said: “We’re at another exciting stage of the ongoing regeneration and redevelopment of Preston Markets Quarter as we start the process to identify a contractor to take on this special project for Preston.

“We would particularly like to hear from local building firms who would be interested in taking a lead role in this landmark development in the city.

“A lot of local people have been working on the refurbishment of the market canopies already, which is wonderful. It’s great for them and great for the local economy. We would love the building of the new Market Hall to also benefit the local supply chain.”

Related: Snapshot of Preston Indoor Market being captured for eternity

Stallholders in the Indoor Market are to be offered new fixed positions in the restored covered market, which is to include glazing to protect the stands from the elements across around half the markets area.

What the trading booths on the Fish Market may look like

A number of empty ship containers are to be used to create permanent stalls under the Fish Market canopy as well.

Deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, which is backing the Markets plan as part of the City Deal, councillor David Borrow said: “Our goal for the £430m City Deal is to unlock many more of these sorts of opportunities, which will together generate tens of thousands of new private sector jobs and attract billions of pounds in leveraged commercial investment. From large firms to smaller local builders, new opportunities are opening up all the time on projects stimulated by the City Deal.

“The Markets Quarter is a hugely important development for Preston, and we’d be pleased if a local construction firm was able to get this contract, which would provide an additional boost to the sector and the local economy.

“We have businesses here in Lancashire who stand deservedly alongside the very best of the construction industry. We’d encourage locally-based companies to look at the tender and submit their bid to the City Council.”

Related: How Preston city centre’s cinema battle played out

In late May the Fish Market canopy was reopened following an extensive restoration programme. A planning application has been submitted for the Markets redevelopment and is currently out for public consultation.

How to tender

If you’re a firm wanting to bid for the work, you need to register via the city council’s Chest procurement portal.

The deadline to submit an expression of interest is Friday 24 June

What do you think about the council’s comments? Should a local firm be preferred? Let us know your views in the comments below