26.9.23

£2.1 million of funding towards a major restoration of Cardiff's historic Central Market has been secured by Cardiff Council through The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The funding award has been made possible thanks to money raised by National Lottery players.

The proposed restoration of the Grade II* Listed Victorian market is expected to require an investment of approximately £6.5 million. If full funding is secured, the restoration would see original design features revealed, traditional entrances and original stalls restored, the iconic glass roof repaired, and improvements made to the Victorian drainage system.

Repairs would also be made to the H.Samuel market clock, a ‘false floor' installed at the Trinity Street entrance in the 1960s would be removed, and a new activity and education room would be introduced, along with a new 70-seat eating area. The plans also include new energy-efficient LED lighting and roof-mounted solar panels.

Welcoming news of the grant funding, Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "Coming hot on the heels of Cabinet agreeing the plans last week, this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund marks a significant step towards achieving our aim of protecting, preserving and future-proofing Cardiff Market.

"The market has been an important city centre space for small independent traders for almost 130 years, and now welcomes more than two million people through its doors annually. Once full funding is secured, the restoration will ensure it remains the bustling heart of the city for many years to come."

How Cardiff Market could look following the restoration works.

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: "I'm thrilled that we have been able to provide significant support to revitalise and preserve the remarkable heritage of Cardiff Market. Saving heritage is core to what we do, and we look forward to seeing the fantastic restoration of this site improving the condition and understanding of the important heritage it holds, reducing the amount of ‘heritage at risk', and delivering a transformational project for communities across Wales and further afield. National Lottery funding will help to ensure this heritage space will be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone's future.

A full funding strategy for the restoration project was recently approved, setting out plans to finance the works through a combination of external grants and loans, combined with direct investment by the Council.

Subject to full funding being successfully secured, it is hoped that work on the restoration could begin in Summer 2024.