REDEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR FORMER MARKET HALL LODGED

Plans have been lodged for the redevelopment of a market hall in West Yorkshire to create new events, retail and office space.

Arcadis Consulting (UK), on behalf of Wakefield Council, has submitted an application for the redevelopment of the town's former Market Hall Building.

The proposed development, known as the WX3 Innovation Egg, includes the refurbishment of the existing Market Hall for use as a multi-purpose events space, which will include food and beverage and retail, known as the Main Hall.

Co-working office space would be provided in a unit to the north of the Main Hall, which currently accommodates the food and beverage offer.

The existing service block would be reconfigured to provide space dedicated to educational workshops, with a section retained for plant, storage and WC's serving the Main Hall.

The service yard would also be retained for deliveries, pop-up entertainment and emergency access.

It has been estimated that the development would create 84 full-time equivalent jobs, as well as supporting roles during construction.

The council has previously secured a £4.38m grant from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Cultural Development Fund to support the project.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: "The Innovation Egg will seek to physically connect creative businesses, entrepreneurs and emerging creatives as part of a new workspace offer, driving accelerated skills development and business growth, whilst showcasing what Wakefield's creativity can offer to the wider district as part of a social and creative city centre hub.

"Wakefield, like many similar city centres, currently has a large proportion of retail space and the development of the Innovation Egg will support a shift towards more high quality office provision as well as providing a quality events, social and leisure offer."

The Market Hall was designed by Adjaye Associates and constructed in 2008; forming part of the wider regeneration of the Trinity Walk and Marsh Way area.

Redevelopment plans for former market hall lodged | Insider Media