Multi-million pound plans to redesign Great Yarmouth’s historic Market Place are set to drawn up.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council is looking to recruit a team of consultants and architects to design two sets of proposals, one costing £2m and one costing £4m.
It is part of the Town Centre Masterplan which aims to regenerate and boost the local economy.
The successful team will be asked to assess the potential of the site and be fully aware of the risks and opportunities arising from the feasibility, concept and developed design.
They will be tasked with working alongside key stakeholders, including the market traders, throughout all work stages, as well as planners and other council officers.
Chairman of the economic development committee Barry Coleman said the council is working with partners to develop a commercially-realistic vision to enhance the historic town centre.
“One of the key Masterplan projects the council is progressing is the improvement of the Market Place and six-day market, with a vision for greatly improved markets supported by new service facilities. This will support investment and footfall in the Market Place and wider town centre.
“The council has started the process to deliver this exciting project by commissioning a number of site surveys and is now currently seeking an architect and design team to develop detailed proposals.
“This significant project is in the early stages and the key stakeholders have been informed. Consultation and engagement with key stakeholders, including market traders, will be a key part of the design and development work.
“The chosen design team will be appointed early in the New Year, with the brief of working closely with the borough council to develop the project from feasibility study through to design options and planning permission. No decisions have yet been taken.”
The council voted to massively reduce rents, from £1.73 to 50p per foot for traders on the two day market last month, a move which traders say will help bring it back to its former glory.
One trader said: “The council have given us the best possible chance to turn this market around now.”
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