Time capsule buried in Preston Markets as glass panel work continues

Councillors Boswell and Rankin with the time capsule

A time capsule has been buried in the foundations of the new Preston Market.

Preston City Council say the new markets scheme remains on track for opening in December as a bit of the present was buried beneath the Outdoor Covered Market.

Council leader councillor Peter Rankin and cabinet member for community and environment councillor Robert Boswell helped bury the capsule.

It contained site plans for the new glazed structure, pictures of current markets traders, signs and memorabilia from the current Indoor Market.

There were also a number of cockle and oyster shells – dating back to Victorian times – put in that were found during the construction work on the markets.

The time capsule was buried near the northern end of the Market, towards Lancaster Road.

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

Costing more than £4million the glazed structure will include around 25-stalls with a box market, made from shipping containers, under the Fish Market canopy.

Cllr Rankin said: “The history of markets in Preston go back centuries with the fantastic market canopies and current indoor market the most recent significant milestones.

“By the time this capsule is unearthed our new markets will be well established in the city and will form another chapter in the markets as well as Preston’s history.”

He said he was pleased with how the market was progressing and they were continuing to negotiate with traders regarding moving into the new market.

Workmen moving one of the glass panels into place at the Orchard Street end of the market

Architect behind the scheme John Bridge from the Frank Whittle Partnership said: “Construction wise everything is going really well.

“We’ve got the big glass panels going into place now and it’s really taking shape. People can see it coming together and the fun and games will really begin when we start to get the market traders in and getting those stalls fitted out.”

Watch as we took a tour round the markets site and saw the time capsule buried

The new market is due to begin trading on Monday 4 December. Final trading at the current indoor market will be on Saturday 2 December.

What do you think of the proposed markets? Let us know your views in the comments below