September date announced for market's reopening

An opening date has been announced for a revamped town-centre market square.

West Northamptonshire Council said Northampton's market would return to its traditional site on 20 September.

Traders have been relocated to a car park on the edge of the town centre while the £10m redevelopment has taken place.

The council has thanked traders for their patience during the 18-month project.

The facelift for Northampton's historic market is part of a town-centre improvement scheme which is designed to attract more shoppers and businesses.

The work on Market Square, which began in February 2023, includes 18 fixed stalls along with new paving, water features and seating.

Traders were moved to the Commercial Street car park while the work took place, and some of them said their takings had dropped massively as a result.

Dan Lister, cabinet member for the local economy at the Conservative-controlled council, said: "The refurbishment of our market square is a core part of the significant investment in and regeneration of Northampton, and we are delighted to be able to confirm that the market will reopen at the historic square from 20 September."

He added: "We are delighted to be able to welcome a diverse mix of stalls and traders when we reopen in just a few weeks’ time."

Les Brennan, owner of LJB Rutherfords key-cutting stall, welcomed the announcement of a date and said "the light at the end of the tunnel gets a little bit bigger".

He added: "They said it would be late summer - they've made it with two days to spare."

Mr Brennan described trading on the Commercial Street car park as "absolute rubbish - it's like groundhog day down here".

He said: "Every day's the same. I've served two customers today and I'm hopeful we'll get one more to equal our previous record of three."

Mr Lister said: “It is important to recognise the patience of traders and thank them for their support.

"Over the coming weeks we will be working with new and existing traders to ensure that they have everything they need ahead of reopening."

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