Two councils are joining forces with a plan to refurbish Market Place to make it fit for the 21st century that will, they say, respect its heritage.
The area behind Wokingham’s iconic Town Hall will be given a makeover in the project run by Wokingham’s Town and Borough councils.
Hugely popular, the area is home to community events including the fireworks parade, May Fayre and the Winter Carnival. It is also used four times a week for its regular markets.
The council says the aim is to create a high quality central space that provides the facilities to support a thriving market, community events and opportunities for surrounding bars, cafés and restaurants to offer outdoor seating during the warmer months.
The plans include installing “good quality surfaces that will complement the red brick Victorian Town Hall” while also levelling the area and reducing the dominance of traffic around the area.
Plans have been drawn up with the needs of visitors and traders in mind, while respecting and enhancing the area’s heritage – the Town Hall itself is a listed building.
Cllr Stan Hetherington, chairman of the Town Council’s Markets Development Working Party, said: “I am delighted that both councils are working together to make improvements to our much loved Market Place.
“We all enjoy both the entertainment and markets that take place in the centre of our town and to level the space, enhance its use and improve the back drop for the Town Hall itself can only be a good thing.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s Cllr Philip Mirfin is chair of the Regeneration Project and is also pleased with the plans.
In a statement, he said: “Improving the quality of our public spaces is critical to the rejuvenation of Wokingham town centre and, as the heart of the town, there is no better place to start than the Market Place.
“The improvements will provide our historic buildings – in particular the Town Hall – with the high quality setting they deserve, complement the re-development of Peach Place.
“They will also provide residents and traders with an attractive and functional space to hold the market and other community events, or simply to spend some time.”
The work is planned for early next year and be completed in time for the warmer weather.
