The newly restored canopy with its underlighting Pic: 70023venus2009

Restoration of Preston’s grade-II listed market canopy has been finished just in time for Christmas.

Workmen have been on site since the summer repairing the canopy on the Outdoor Covered Market.

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The canopy has been cleaned and repainted with workers from across Preston and Lancashire involved in the work as part of FPE Global and architects Frank Whittle Partnership.

Leader of Preston City Council councillor Peter Rankin said: “It is great to see this wonderful canopy restored to the highest of standards by local skilled tradesmen, standing proudly next the Fish Market canopy which was restored earlier this year. This is a fantastic achievement and with the recent announcement of our contractors for the next phase we are making significant progress with the Markets Quarter project.

“The completion of the canopy refurbishment is a great way to end 2016 and the building of the new market the perfect way to start 2017 – a year which promises to be incredibly exciting for the market and for Preston.”

Restoration of the main Market canopy has cost £620,000 and also includes installing low-energy lighting for use at night and as an events space.

The new lighting has been catching the eye of Prestonians Pic: 70023venus2009

FPE Global lead the work on the restoration and Roger Speakman from the firm said: “We are immensely proud to have worked on this prestigious project at the heart of Preston’s priority regeneration quarter. FPE Global Site Operations has been able to utilise its wealth of experience in heritage restoration to deliver a high quality scheme on schedule.

“It’s not often we get the opportunity to work on such an impressive structure as the 1875 market canopy but we believe that, alongside the restored Fish Market canopy that we also completed earlier this year, FPE and our local subcontractors have reinstated the market canopies as an asset all Prestonians can once again be very proud of.”

Read more: Conlon Construction to begin work on new Indoor Market in January

Project architect John Bridge from Frank Whittle Partnership oversaw the work on the 1875 Market.

He said: “The successful restoration of the Fish Market canopy with FPE earlier this year and now the completion of our stunning 1875 grade II listed Market canopy, is the perfect way to finish for Christmas.

“The energy efficient LED lighting, specialist paint finishes and repairs to the Victorian cast iron detailing, will ensure our canopies will stand out for many years to come.”

What do you think of the restored market canopy? Let us know your views in the comments below