Town market revamp could boost trade

The market - which attracts around 30,000 visitors per week - was named as joint winner of small indoor market by the National Association of British Market Authorities (NABMA) in February.

Wakefield Council has now granted funding to replace its stalls as part of a plan to further boost the market.

Sir Bill O’Brien, secretary of Pontefract Town Centre Partnership (PTCP), said: “We are very pleased that the market is going to get the new stalls.

“The market is incredibly important to the town. We have around 80 to 100 stalls on a Wednesday and Saturday and it is very popular.”

The funding was announced at a meeting of the PTCP last month.

Details of when the stalls will be replaced are yet to be announced.

Sir Bill said: “Pontefract is a big market and it is also a good market.

“The indoor market has a good selection of stalls and it complements the outdoor stalls very well.”

The market is now fully occupied and the NABMA award was recognition for the market attracting new businesses and also recognised the market’s work with the local community.

Sir Bill said: “Pontefract is quickly becoming a destination town.

“We have got the castle, which is being restored, we have got a world-class racecourse and we’ve now got an award winning market.

“We are over the moon with both the award and the funding for the new stalls being announced.

“The traders are very pleased as well and we have now got to make sure that the success continues.”