It was acknowledged that the long-term solution for the future of the market was for the council to partner with private sector expertise in the area of refurbishing and managing historical buildings. In July 2018 the council agreed a 250-year redevelopment lease with LoftCo, the developer behind the transformation of Cardiff’s Tramshed and Barry’s Pumphouse (both of which Ellis Williams also designed). Following a £6.5m redevelopment project (believed to be the largest indoor market redevelopment in Europe), the market reopened in March 2022.

The repair, conservation and regeneration scheme has given the Grade II listed market a more sustainable future by restoring the existing historical structure and providing a contemporary interior offering workspace for a diverse mix of independent traders, including a food court, refurbished market stalls, flexible workspaces and a multi-functional event space. With a mix of the old and a sprinkle of the new, this impressive Victorian structure retains nearly all of its striking historical features making it the perfect place to explore, meet, eat, drink and shop.

As well as leading the design for the redevelopment, Ellis Williams also acted as Conservation Architects – developing a repair, restoration and conservation scheme for the building envelopes to ensure their long-term future as market halls. The interior of the market hall was recorded through a process of detailed investigations. Fragments of original market stalls were uncovered, restored and integrated into the new interior design which celebrates the old market stall designs but brings a contemporary and consistent appearance to the market hall – greatly improving its presentation.

The project was highly commended at the Civic Trust Awards 2023 and topped the entries in the Creating Economic Growth category at the Ystadau Cymru Awards in 2022.