THE COUNCIL has confirmed the last days of trading at Barrow Market before the move into temporary accommodation while works are carried out.

Westmorland and Furness Council has stated the last day of trading in Barrow Market will be Saturday August 10, with the new units open for business on Monday August 12.

It is estimated that work in the Market Hall will take two years to complete.

Some traders will be located in refurbished units in the Mall, facing Dalton Road. The remainder will be units within the former Meat Hall, however work is still taking place here for a few more months.

These traders will therefore be in special units in the outdoor market on Portland Walk for the time being. During the main refurbishment works on the Market Hall, the Meat Hall will remain open, however access will only be from Dalton Road.

The market hall will remain open until August 10, with traders continuing to offer their services with the Portland Walk, Stephen Street and Duke Street entrances still in use.

Councillor Virginia Taylor, Cabinet Member for Sustainable Communities and Localities, said: "The new units look fantastic and I can't wait to see everybody moved in and creating a buzz around temporary market. We do not underestimate the challenges the move will bring to our wonderful traders. We thank them for working with us to make the temporary market a success and for buying into our long-term vision for Barrow Market to be a vibrant and successful part of a reinvigorated town centre.

"There is a real and emerging sense of positivity around Barrow town centre. Our new temporary market with easy access off Dalton Road, and thereafter the revitalised Market Hall itself, will demonstrate our commitment to support a town centre people can be proud of and that everyone wants to visit."

The council’s director of thriving communities Steph Cordon previously said: “We understand the effect the upheaval will have on traders and are totally committed to creating a temporary market which traders and customers will enjoy being in while the works are carried out.

“In the meantime, the market remains open with the great offer it has always had and the market traders look forward to continuing to serve their customers.”

The council previously said it thought a phased approach could be taken to the internal refurbishment and asbestos removal with traders remaining in the market hall while the work took place.

However, concerns were raised by market traders about operating close to where asbestos removal works were taking place which could impact significantly on footfall, said the council.

In December the council said it completed an in-depth review of the risks associated with undertaking the asbestos removal and refurbishment works within an active market and concluded it would be safer for staff, traders, and the general public not to be in the hall during the works.

The work is part of a £16 million government-funded scheme to reinvigorate the Market Hall, neighbouring arts and entertainment venue The Forum and the public realm that surrounds it to attract more people into the town centre.