‘Green Light’ For Holyhead Market Hall Restoration And Reuse Plans

Isle of Anglesey County Council is delighted to announce that it has been awarded £2.375million by the Heritage Lottery Fund to restore Holyhead Market Hall and secure its future as a much valued local landmark. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Under the plans, the interior will be refurbished and upgraded to accommodate new uses while the building exterior will be repaired, creating a long term sustainable end use for building. Having been derelict for over 10 years, Holyhead Market Hall is considered the poorest condition civic building in Wales and the highest priority for action. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The new project will ensure a sustainable future, respecting and celebrating the Market Hall’s heritage. It will provide a new home for Holyhead Library and the Island’s local history collections, provide exhibitions interpreting Holyhead’s story with opportunities for new spaces for learning, training, community activity space and a coffee shop. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Market Hall was constructed in 1855 as part of a wider national trend. Locally, its construction coincided with a population and housing boom during the mid-Victorian period. From its completion it was a focus for community activity and performed a number of roles in addition to its function as a covered area for traders, including assembly rooms, library for the Holyhead Mechanics Institute, militia depot and Court, illustrating its long social history and importance for north Anglesey and, particularly, as a key civic and community building for the town. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Anglesey Council’s Assistant Chief Executive, Annwen Morgan, said, “We’re thrilled with the Heritage Lottery Fund announcement. Today marks a hugely positive and significant step in realising our aspirations to bring the Victorian Market Hall back to life and fulfil its potential as a civic space once again and tell its remarkable history for the local community and visitors.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Coupled with the recent confirmation of Welsh Government support, through their Viable and Vibrant Places programme, this announcement represents a huge achievement for the County Council.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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The County Council’s Head of Learning, Delyth Molyneux, added, “It’s fantastic news that the Heritage Lottery Fund has embraced this exciting vision for the historic Market Hall, which secures the long-term future of one of north Anglesey’ s most iconic landmarks. The Market Hall has been through some challenging times, but this announcement of grant support will secure the building’s future. This tremendous achievement is testament to the hard work, determination and enthusiasm of staff, advisors and local stakeholders who have supported the County Council throughout the process.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We will continue to work with stakeholders, the community and Library users over the coming months in detailing up the design and ensuring the best outcome for future users and visitors.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Thanks to players of the National Lottery, this is the second major investment the Heritage Lottery Fund has made in Holyhead in recent months. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Welsh Government recently confirmed a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) served by the County Council on the former owner of the Market Hall. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​