Demolition of Preston Indoor Market to start next year
Demolition is set to begin on Preston’s Indoor Market in the New Year to make way for a Muse-led £50m cinema, leisure, and retail development, after local firm Bradley Group secured a £1.5m contract to clear the site.
Following a competitive tender, Preston Council chose Bradley Group to carry out the works, which will include extensive asbestos removal, drainage works, repairs to some existing structures, and demolition down to the existing ground floor slab of the 1960s Indoor Market. The existing multi-storey car park will also be demolished, although parking will be available at the site until Christmas.
The façade of the existing Lancastria House will be retained as part of the plans. The Indoor Market is gradually becoming vacant with existing traders being decanted into the newly-constructed covered market, completed by Conlon earlier this year.
Muse is the development partner for the site, and is planning to build an 11-screen cinema, seven family restaurants, and a 593-space multi-storey car park on the site of the Indoor Market. Construction of the cinema, to be anchored by The Light, is likely to begin in Autumn next year once demolition works complete.
Designed by architect Benoy, the plans were granted consent in November 2016. The professional team also includes CBRE as planner, Curtins as civil engineering and transport consultant, and Waterman Group as building services and structural engineer.
Cllr Brian Rollo, cabinet member for environment at Preston Council said: “Markets Quarter is Preston City Council’s flagship project and we are delighted to be moving into the fourth phase with the appointment of Bradley Group to demolish the old market hall and car park. This will lead the way for the final phase of the works which will complete the transformation of the area.”
The refurbished grade-two listed Market Hall opened its doors in February this year following a £3m restoration and expansion. Traders already at the market include a craft beer bar, a fishmonger, butcher, a Caribbean food stall, a jeweller, a cheesemonger, and flower sellers.
Around 75% of the space inside the market has been allocated for food and drink usage.
