Historic day as Newtown Market Hall re-opens

It was an important step in the history of Newtown town centre this week with the re-opening of the town's historic market hall.

Traders opened there stalls in the building on Tuesday for the first time since renovation was completed last month.

Originally opened in 1870, it has undergone a £1.8million renovation that has seen the building refurbished and its original features carefully brought back along with a contemporary twist.

It has taken over a year to complete by the Mid Wales Food and Land Trust which has taken over the building on a 99 year lease from Powys County Council.

The council had originally planned to sell the building back in 2008, but there was concern that even though it is a Grade II listed structure, the site could have been used for other purposes.

Last week the public were given their first insight into the building with a public viewing day held on Tuesday.

But today stallholders have moved back in and are hoping for a brisk trade.

The market hall has an additional mezzanine floor at the High Street entrance where meeting rooms and offices are located and will be available for groups, businesses and organisations to rent.