Market revamp plan views sought as hours clarified

Details of extended opening hours at Wellington Market have been published during a public consultation into its refurbishment.

Telford & Wrekin Council is seeking permission from planning officials for certain elements of the multi-million-pound changes to Wellington Market.

In an email to planners, the authority clarified potential opening hours: Monday to Thursday 08:00-21:00, closing an hour later on Friday and Saturday, while on Sundays and bank holidays it could open at 10:00 and close at 20:00.

The council said it wanted to regularise how the market operates now, as well as cover eventualities like special events and varying stall hours.

The current opening times listed on the market website show it opening on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 to 16:00 and on Saturday from 08:00 to 16:30 and closed on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesday.

Planning permission is only required for certain elements of the proposal, including changes to the structure of the market building but not for new individual stalls inside the building.

The spending on the 1,700 sq m (18,300 sq ft) market is part of £12m in funding from central government for Wellington.

The proposals plan to revitalise the market and create a "modern, future-proof venue", the council said.

A new layout will be introduced to "maximise space, improve accessibility, and flow throughout".

Key features include a permanent covered outdoor area for events and an expanded food court.

A consultation expiry date has been set at 29 July, with a decision due by the end of August.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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