The newly restored Preston Markets canopy was formally declared open by the Mayor of Preston during Wednesday evening.
AdvertisementCouncillor John Collins cut the ribbon on the side of the Outdoor Market as months of restoration work came to an end.
There to see the official ceremony was project architect John Bridge from the Frank Whittle Partnership who oversaw the £620,000 project.
Mr Bridge, 34, from Ashton-on-Ribble, said: “I remember coming to the markets with my Nan when I was little. So to work on something for all these traders has been brilliant.
“We had to work in a very strict way because it’s a grade-II listed structure and needs the care and love to make it look good.”
Bridge and contractors FPE Global worked around the traders to finish the canopy in stages.
Mr Bridge said: “This work will last for at least 15 years. The last time these canopies had been touched was 1992 for the Guild and it showed.
“We have done a proper job on the canopies and the city council is putting a proper maintenance plan in place.
“All the lads and I are very proud to have been able to work on such a project.”
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Councillors and dignatries from across the city were under the canopy to see the Mayor of Preston cut the ribbon and were treated to a demonstration of the new LED lighting the canopy now has installed.
City council leader councillor Peter Rankin gave a short speech at the event.
He paid tribute to everyone who had worked on the canopies restoration and alluded to the work to come on creating a new Indoor Market in the space.
What do you make of the new lighting? And the markets canopy? Let us know in the comments below