Countdown begins to re-opening of indoor market

The countdown has begun to the re-opening of Newtown Market Hall.

The indoor market, originally built in the 1870s, has been closed for over a year while it undergoes a complete renovation by the Mid Wales Food and Land Trust who have taken over the building from Powys County Council.

It will re-open on 4th August, although it will open its doors temporarily next Tuesday to give the public a sneak peak before traders move in before the opening day.

The building was gutted and renovated internally and externally to bring it back to its original state.

A new mezzanine floor has been installed to provide meeting and conference room facilities for community and business use.

One of the first to look around the hall was Montgomeryshire AM, Russell George and MP Glyn Davies.

They were part of a group shown around the indoor market on Thursday.

Mr George said: "The Market Hall is looking great. It's a a mix of keeping the original features and past, with a real modern contemporary look."

He added: "The Mid Wales Food and Land Trust have been responsible for driving the regeneration project of the Market Hall forward.

"It's been a long journey, just after I became a councillor in 2008. I was heavily involved in a campaign to stop the council selling the hall. That was successful and it was great to look around the building today.

“I wonder what Newtown business man Mr Wastel Brisco who commissioned the original building work would think?”

Mr George tweeted the photo above from the first floor mezzanine during his visit.