Construction works to create a new welcoming and attractive Market Square in Midsomer Norton have started on site this week.
New graphics show how the 1,000sqm public space outside the Town Hall will look once completed in early 2025, providing a Market Square that can be used for community and commercial events of all sizes and enhance the town centre.
Once finished the Market Square will be able to accommodate up to 21 full size market stalls and has been designed with flexibility in mind.
The scheme will also improve the area for pedestrians, provide new road surfacing and make it safer for vehicles entering and exiting The Island.
The £2.39 million scheme is part of the £3.7 million Midsomer Norton High Street Regeneration Programme, which follows on from the successful High Street Heritage Action Zone project funded by Historic England, with funding and support provided by Historic England, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority through its ‘Love Our High Streets’ grant programme and Midsomer Norton Town Council.
The high street regeneration programme has also seen the recent completion of a £115k shopfront improvement scheme for eight shops, making them more attractive and in keeping with Midsomer Norton’s conservation area.
Image: Computer generated images of the new Midsomer Norton Market Square design, credit Nicolas Pearson Associates
Councillor Kevin Guy, Council Leader, said: “This inspiring public space will be a result of partnership working and community involvement and it’s exciting to share the updated graphics with residents and businesses. With works now under way, we can really get a sense of how the Market Square will help to revive the town centre and attract more people to Midsomer Norton. The shopfront improvements have already added to the appeal of the area and I’m pleased that local businesses have been supported in these challenging times.”
Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “This is good news for Midsomer Norton and its residents. These Market Square improvements, plus the exciting regeneration of the Town Hall, are really going to put this great town on the map.
“I’m proud a £1 million-plus cash injection from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, which I lead, means we’ve got this exciting project under way.
“As West of England Mayor, I’m committed to funding projects to give locals high streets and town centres they deserve, and that bring pride to local areas.”
Adrienne Lynch from Somer Printing was one of the business owners to benefit from the shopfront improvement scheme.
Adrienne said: “The High Street Regeneration Programme has been a fantastic improvement to the area so far and especially to our small business. What the architect created is very eye catching and compliments the area well. There has been an enormous amount of our customers comment on how fabulous the building now looks thus much improving their overall experience of shopping on the High Street. It has greatly improved, not just the look of our building, but the look of the whole area surrounding us. We hope it rubs off on other local shops to encourage them to improve their premises so that they too can gain the benefits we have seen as it's most definitely worth it! Thank you to all concerned.”
Sarah Malik at Jacarandas said: “This was a fantastic scheme helping small businesses and our high street. Much appreciated!”
The other shops that benefitted from the improvement scheme were Nisi, Pure Taste, Sewing Sanctuary, Rose Crafts, Fox & Kit and Canine Class.
The programme of works for the Market Square can be viewed at yourmidsomernorton.co.uk and updates will be added to the website as the works progress.
Midsomer Norton’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) was a four-year partnership programme (2020-2024) between Historic England, Bath & North East Somerset Council and Midsomer Norton Town Council, which comprised of:
- Restoration of the Grade II Listed Town Hall and reinstatement of the Market Hall
- Creation of the Market Square
- Public realm improvements to the High Street
- Shopfront improvements
- 3 year Local Cultural Programme
Find out about all of the ongoing and planned regeneration projects across Bath & North East Somerset
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