The deadline for market traders to decide whether they want in, or out, of the new Preston Market has been set.
Preston City Council is advertising for stalls for the new Indoor Market which is being built under the newly restored Outdoor Covered Market canopy.
As the glass structure goes up it is time for the traders to decide if they see themselves having a new home.
Inside the glazed structure, costing £4million, the city council says it will mostly be fresh food stalls along with some food-to-go outlets.
As well as new stalls the Markets ‘brand’ is due for a refresh with a new logo being designed by East Cliff based agency The Chase.
Read more: Watch how restoration of the Markets canopy came together
Alongside the main market the Fish Market canopy will see a new ‘box market’ installed underneath with the city council saying stalls such as ethnic cuisine, cobblers, barbers, key cutters, vintage fashion and real ale bars may find a use for the old shipping container design.
Director of environment at the city council Adrian Phillips said: “This is a very exciting point of the project and another important milestone. We’ve got some great traders that will be coming with us from the existing market, a new brand and soon we’ll have a fantastic new Market Hall and Box Market.
“We’re confident our market customers will continue to be really well served with traditional market products by long standing traders but also want to bring in some new traders to add a different dimension to the market offer, making it the best in the area and a real draw for the city centre.”
Read more: Preston Markets are currently trading under the Fish Market
The new Indoor Market is due to be open before Christmas with piling work currently ongoing before the glass structure is put in.
The traditional Outdoor Market will continue to run four days a week along with the popular second-hand market which currently runs twice a week will continue with running the rest of the week.
Applications to be part of the new markets should be made by Monday 8 May and the council says it will be back in touch with applicants within six weeks. Traders interested can visit the city council website for application guidance and to access application forms.
What would you like to see in the new markets? Let us know in the comments below