Newcastle Grainger Market restoration starts this month with hope £9m revamp will rival best European markets

A multi-million-pound project to restore and enhance Newcastle's Grainger Market is due to begin later this month.

The £9 million revamp will see two new pavilions installed within the Arcade, as well as improved toilet facilities, improved décor, and wayfinding and signage in the alleys. All entrances will be renovated to increase the market's visibility and fitted with glazed, automatic sliding doors to help reduce draughts. The external area around the entrances will also be upgraded.

It is hoped that the project, which will begin in late September 2024, will develop an international visitor destination to rival the best European markets. The work, which was expected to get underway in mid-September, will begin with the demolition of existing units within the central Arcade, Newcastle City Council confirmed.

Read more: Grainger Market restoration to start next month with £9m revamp expected to be completed in 2025 Keep up to date with all the latest local news with our free newsletter

The council is working with Robertson Construction Group as its management contractor and final surveys are ongoing on the Grade-I listed market, which was built in 1835. Traders, whose businesses will remain open during the works, have been consulted on the plans.

It is expected the works will complete by summer 2025, but the council have said there are a number of challenges at the site, including ageing utility supplies within the market and the presence of a listed air raid shelter beneath part of the site.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Kemp, has said Grainger Market is a "jewel in the crown" of the city and the traders are its lifeblood.

He said: "Everyone who calls this city home has their own memories of the Grainger Market. We all have a story to tell. It's a jewel in the crown of our city centre and a major piece of the huge investments being made in the heartbeat of Newcastle.

"There are ongoing works to improve Northumberland Street, Grey Street, Pilgrim Street and Eldon Square, this puts local traders at the heart of the development. The traders of the Grainger Market are its lifeblood, they are local people who demonstrate how we are building an inclusive economy in our city.

"They are a celebration of Geordie heritage and we have brought them along on every step of this journey. This won't be an easy redevelopment, but I am delighted we have our contractor on board and that work will be getting underway soon."

Neil Kennedy, regional managing director, Robertson Construction North East, said: "We've worked with Newcastle City Council on a range of fantastic projects over the years and to be chosen as delivery partner for the restoration of Grainger Market is a great honour.

"The Grainger Market project is an outstanding opportunity to improve a key Newcastle landmark, and we are looking forward to working alongside the traders and local communities to make Newcastle City Council’s vision a reality.

"It's important to us, as a regional contractor, to work closely with our local supply chain and we are committed to bringing social and economic benefits to the community.

"Right now, that means local employment and supply chain spend for the construction phase of the project but it's clear this is just the start of the positive impact the improved Grainger Market will bring to the city."

The project is being led by the council at a cost of £9 million, £8.2 million of which is from levelling up funding and the remaining £800,000 from the council. Plans for the market were announced in March this year, with CGI images released showing the new atrium and its potential to host events.

The demolition of the Grainger Market’s central Arcade in September will kick start the works with a full programmed expected to start thereafter.

Robertson has delivered a string of city council projects, including several schools and also led the redevelopment of the iconic Pattern Shop, a Grade 2 Listed structure brought back to life as a business centre in the city's Stephenson Quarter.