Market hall revamp work 'to restart in a few weeks'

Work to complete Market Drayton'S market hall, which ground to a halt after contractors Frank Galliers Ltd went into liquidation, could restart in the summer, it was revealed today.

The £600,000 revamp of the hall has been on hold since the building firm went to the wall earlier this year with debts of almost £10 million.

But Shropshire Council announced today the scheme was currently out to tender and it hoped to have a new contractor on board in May, with work likely to resume soon afterwards.

Potential contractors were spotted on site yesterday sizing up the building and assessing what work needs to be done.

Officials were spotted taking pictures of the half-finished revamp project, which was funded with money set aside when the old North Shropshire District Council sold off its housing stock.

Simon Alton, Shropshire Council spokesman, said: "We are currently out to tender and potential contractors have been viewing the site. We hope to appoint a new contractor towards the end of May."

Market traders have been forced to remain in the smaller temporary market hall in Cheshire Street while they wait for the revamp to be completed.

Work on Market Drayton Market Hall is set to include new flooring, stalls and lighting, as well as a canopy entrance to the building.

Work is also set to be carried out to enhance the Cheshire Street entrance.

Frank Galliers Ltd collapsed at the end of January bringing various building schemes across the region to a sudden halt.

The firm had been working on Oswestry's new leisure centre and NHS projects in the south of the county.