Sneak-peek inside multi-million pound refurbishment plan for Wellington Market - this is what we think

When I first heard about the refurb, I was worried about the incoming gentrification of my beloved market hall - that it would stop being somewhere to pick up your fruit and veg and start being somewhere that men with handlebar moustaches tried to teach me which craft ale would best suit my star sign.

To me, the plans looked great. The layout makes sense, the drawings weren't garish, there wasn't a mood board with neon signs reading 'Great Vibes Only'. It looked like Wellington, just better.

More than £4million will be spent on the refurb - two-thirds of which will be ploughed into fixing and protecting the fabric of the Victorian market hall. 

"It's safe to say it's been neglected under the previous ownership," a spokesperson for Telford & Wrekin Council said. 

"We're not dealing with things that have happened overnight in terms of deterioration. We've really got to invest in it to safeguard it for the future."

As well as making repairs and improvements to the roof, structure and drainage, the market will get a completely new layout with wider aisles to improve accessibility.

Plans are still in a preliminary stage and nothing is set in stone, but among the rough drawings was a plan to move the indoor food court outside to be near the stage area.

This would allow food vendors to operate outside of the indoor market opening hours, should they want to - something they are currently unable to do without jumping through several hoops.

This, to me, is one of the biggest revelations. Speaking to a number of the food vendors in the market over the years has revealed one thing: a lot of them want more late nights and more freedom to control their operating hours.

Speaking of traders, the council assured us that every single vendor currently operating from the market hall has a space in the revamped hall.

To ensure traders can continue to operate during the works, the council is also providing a rent-free period for the duration that any trader is temporarily moved during the works. The council also stated that the market remain open throughout the works.

Traders are also being given a rental concession of 50 per cent up to the point they are moved and an additional rental concession of 50 per cent for the first six months of trading in their permanent location.

As part of the plans, Telford & Wrekin Council has also said they to ensure the popular late night events become a "much more regular occurrence" and introduce other community events at the venue.

Speaking about the plans, which will be finalised before work starts in the summer, council leader Lee Carter said: “Wellington Market is a real jewel in the crown here in Telford and Wrekin and part of our borough’s history.

“It’s essential that we carry out this investment works now otherwise the market’s future is in serious jeopardy.

“We need to address the significant property defects and overall poor condition of the market and will be embarking on significant works over the coming months through to the middle of next year to transform the market and make it fit-for-purpose.

“These are exciting times for Wellington Market and we can’t wait to see a revitalised market which people can be proud of and a place in the heart of the community where they can come to shop, eat and socialise.”