Ref: PR1838
Date: 08/07/08

Wakefield's new £3 million market hall, a stunning building designed by leading architect David Adjaye, was officially opened on Saturday.

A plaque was unveiled by Cllr Denise Jeffery, Deputy Leader of Wakefield Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Culture and Sport, as shoppers crowded into the new venue.

At the opening Cllr Jeffery thanked everyone who had contributed to its success story, including the developers, construction company, Council workers, traders and shoppers.

She said she was delighted to open the new market hall, which is the first of several regeneration projects in Wakefield city centre to be completed.

Cllr Jeffery said: "This is a milestone in the regeneration of the city and I've really enjoyed visiting the market and speaking to the traders.

"Everyone has worked hard to ensure that this exciting new venture is high quality and offers shoppers what they want. The new market is a fantastic new attraction for Wakefield and I'm sure it will draw visitors in, not just from across the district but further afield as well.

"There is an emphasis on high quality, local produce which is what today's customer demands and it is in a convenient location right in the city centre."

She was presented with a painting, `Looking to the Future', by David Wilce of The Picture Box, in the market hall. He and business partner Andrew Wilce had commissioned the work from local artist Edwin Hirst. It features several Wakefield landmarks and symbolises Wakefield's future success. The painting will now be displayed in the hall.

The market hall houses 49 general indoor units, 11 retail areas in the food hall, nine shops fronting onto Union Street and 45 outdoor stalls in the adjoining open market.

The open market and the new market hall are part of the Trinity Walk development by Modus Properties and Simons Developments, with the main contractor for the scheme being Shepherd Construction Ltd. It is set transform the Marshway area of the city and in addition to the new market hall, includes more than 500,000 sq ft of retail accommodation including new stores for Debenhams, Sainsbury, Next, H&M, Peacocks and New Look, 72 residential units, a 957 customer space car park and a new library.

Some of the units on the open market are still available on selected days. Interested traders should contact Market Services on 01924 307826.

ENDS