The Civic Quarter project will build on the vision for the Market Square that was agreed in March 2022.
This vision is for a bustling seven-day market which is an accessible, attractive, welcoming, exciting and safe place to visit, shop and gather during the day and into the evening. This vision continues to inform the developing proposals for the Market Square.
The Market Square needs significant investment to secure long-term economic and social value for the city, and the council is committed to supporting the seven-day market to continue and thrive in the long-term.
Traders and stalls
The proposals for the Market Square have been continuously evolving incorporating feedback from both public engagement programmes, as well as market traders, market experts, heritage officers and the police.
The latest updates have been shared with traders in August 2025. The current proposals now include:
- 96 stalls in total, a further increase from the initial proposal of 91, and then 94 more recently – with a commitment that all current traders would be able to return
- 44 permanent stalls; a further increase from the initial proposal of 27, and then 36 more recently – meaning traders who trade most often will benefit from new lockable stalls
- 52 demountable stalls. Following a trial of one demountable stall product during the summer, during which traders expressed concerns about assembly time, the impact of hot/adverse weather on performance and comfort of the stalls, and fixing the stalls into the ground, a second trial will take place in the autumn
- The proposal for covered seating now features parasols around the fountain, along with trees providing shelter. Previously the proposal was for a small, fixed canopy which would be lockable out of hours. The proposals respond to feedback about antisocial behaviour in covered areas not being caught on CCTV
- A support package for traders during works on the Market Square, including offering traders a 50% discount on their rent for the duration of construction (based on stall size prior to works commencing), and a commitment to providing a comparable sized stall to trade from at another site during the works. The temporary site is still to be confirmed, but the current proposal is to provide stalls on high footfall streets surrounding the Market Square such as King’s Parade, Sidney Street and Peas Hill.
The following elements of the proposals (previously published) remain current:
- a commitment to maintaining traders’ pitch fees at the pre-decant level for the first 12 months following the redevelopment of the market
- retaining and refurbishing the existing fountain on the market, with the aspiration of making it fully functioning in the long-term
- confirmation that toilets for traders will be renovated and remain situated in the market square basement to support traders, and that new underground bin facilities will be provided to significantly improve waste storage and collection processes.
The demountable stalls can contract or expand in accordance with demand from traders, meaning that this part of the Market Square would be available for additional trading during busier days and months, or to provide flexible space for occasional events.
Market traders
We know that some traders continue to have concerns about the proposals.
As we move forward with the design work, we will continue to work with markets experts and traders to identify suitable new stalls - fixed and demountable - that would be sturdy enough for all weather and would work for traders, using designs that have been stress tested by market traders in other places. We still have plenty of time after a planning application is submitted to finalise the detail of fixed and demountable stalls on the market.
We are working closely with market traders to design a new space that meets their needs, looking at market stall layouts, storage, bins, lighting, and CCTV options to address antisocial behaviour.
Pedestrians
The proposals also include introducing an accessible shared surface to promote and prioritise pedestrians; and a commitment to water efficiency and renewable energy.
Other ideas include planting more trees and installing green areas for people to enjoy, and to provide shade, increase biodiversity, improve air quality, and enhance the overall beauty of the square.
