New cinema proposed for Wakefield Market Hall site

The market attracts fewer shoppers than in neighbouring Pontefract and Castleford, according to the council.

A £3m market hall built in 2008 could be closed and a multi-screen cinema built in its place with up to £100,000 spent to relocate traders.

A proposal to Wakefield Council would see Wakefield's Market Hall replaced by the cinema and a number of restaurants.

Traders could relocate within the city and the Cathedral Precinct is proposed as the new site for the outdoor market.

Councillor Denise Jeffery said: "We have to accept the market hall has not worked as well as we would have liked."

The owners of the nearby Trinity Walk shopping centre, Sovereign Land (Management) Ltd, hope to redevelop the site.

The building of the hall and its outdoor market was funded by the original developers of Trinity Walk and the traders have been heavily subsidised since 2008, a council report said.

The market attracts fewer shoppers than the indoor markets in neighbouring Pontefract and Castleford, according to the council.

Ms Jeffery, cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth said the cinema move could also boost the "night-time economy" of the city.

The report to be discussed by the council's cabinet on 11 February recommends accepting the proposal.