Latest News
January 2008
The Steering Committee met on 24th January and resolved to continue progressing the project along the original lines. It agreed that the concepts which formed the rationale for the previous Big Lottery bid are still very valid and should not be 'watered down'. In fact chairman Geoff Ardill said that they would be looking at adding more features to enhance the value given to the community. Funding is currently being sought to conduct a business plan aimed at creating a sustainable community enterprise which would not rely on external funding.
Big Lottery bid - Unfortunately we were not unsuccessful. However, as disappointed as we are we continue with the project by seeking out alternative funders. One consequence of the failed Lottery bid is that some other funding which was to be match funded is now not available and will be spent elsewhere in Ellesmere." We are therefore taking a couple of steps backwards but we resolve to continue"- said chairman Geoff Ardill. The project gained a lot of momentum from the initial bid and we have learnt a lot. We do however look to include further residents in the project and need expertise in project management. Please contact Geoff Ardill if you want to to get involved - markethall@ellesmere.info
Local Arts and Performance groups met with the Steering Committee to discuss their possible requirements for the use of the Market Hall. The committee plan to have further events soon with other specific interest groups. Contact the committee chairman if you would like to be involved.
Ellesmere Economic Development Forum have agreed grants to support the development of a Business Plan for the Market Hall and to publicise the project.
As The Market Hall Regeneration Group await the result of its application for funding to the Big Lottery, it has been getting on with preparing the ground for the development.
Chairman Geoff Ardill explained that an important consideration for the future of the Market Hall is to make it self sustaining, and the Ellesmere Economic Development Forum have awarded Market Towns Initiative money to create a business case. “We aim to create an income from hosting various events and activities such that all running costs are covered. That way we will not need to go back to funders, cap in hand in the future” said Geoff.
Older News :-
The committee have been busy consulting existing and potential users to develop ideas for the new facilities. On 19th July, an open meeting at the Market Hall gave local arts and performance groups a chance to have their say about new facilities. Local groups are well represented on the steering committee, but additional members are welcome.
Claire Cartlidge, Principal Librarian and a member of the Steering Committee, also announced that the group will be involved in The Big Draw event during October. As one of only twenty four successful applications, this initiative will be an opportunity for local people to get involved in designing the new interior of the Market Hall. Although rather grand sounding, The Royal Academy of Engineering’s initiatives ‘Shape the Future’ and ‘Designs for Sustainability’ will never-the-less be great fun for us all.
Big bid to Big Lottery
Shropshire County Council, working in close partnership with local councils and community groups, has submitted a bid to the Big Lottery for the redevelopment of the Market Hall in Ellesmere as an exciting new home for the town’s library, alongside a wide range of other services and facilities.
The application is for £924,000 towards an estimated cost of £1.5m to completely redevelop the prominent building in Scotland Street. The bid has been developed by the County Council’s Library Service, working with a local Steering Group which represents a range of local groups and organisations. The work builds on the results of community consultation undertaken in 2006 by the Ellesmere Economic Development Forum.
If successful, the funding from the Big Lottery Community Libraries scheme will provide Ellesmere and area with greatly improved and extended library, information and computer services, alongside access to council and public services and to a number of other services and facilities, including community learning, youth centre, meeting spaces, and regular information and advice from a range of agencies and organisations. The development will also provide an improved café and a flexible performance and activity space which will continue to be used by the town’s regular market. A mezzanine level and lift will be installed within the hall to accommodate many of the additional services.
Geoff Ardill, Chair of the local Steering Group, said: "This is a significant step forward and we are optimistic about the long term future for the historic market hall. We still aim to submit bids for funds from other major funding bodies with a view to enabling some of the exciting additional facilities. My personal thanks go to our committee members who have worked very hard to pull together the bid and meet the tight deadline."
Carolyn Downs, Chief Executive of Shropshire County Council, added: “This project could help transform the Market Hall into a fantastic resource for Ellesmere and its local area. I am thrilled that the County Council has been able to work with local councils and local people to put this exciting bid together.”
The County Council expects to hear whether the Big Lottery application has been successful by September this year.
Have your say about the proposal to move the library into the Market Hall.
The Steering committed continues to meet and make steady progress. Significantly, it has been decided that the project should aim to complete the recommended design in a single phase (see the preferred options-phase 3) and to seek the appropriate funding from a number of sources. This reflects the general feelings expressed at the second public meeting on 23rd November 2006. In fact it is hoped that the project will extend the scope to a larger 'balcony' area on the mezzanine floor and to allow for flexible use by using moveable partition walls. On the ground floor, our 'dream' is to include a flexible performance/ exhibition space using the space occupied by the market on Tuesdays. A reception, cafe, kitchen, library and store rooms will be fitted as well as maintaining the historic market place.
Have you any suggestions on a name for the project? let us know.
Background - Market Hall Regeneration(working title)
Following a comprehensive feasibility report into the potential of refurbishing Ellesmere's historic Market Hall, a group met in the hall on Wednesday 20th September to set up a development project. The meeting was called by Geoff Ardill, a member of the Ellesmere Economic Forum which supported the feasibility study with funds supplied by Advantage West Midlands under the Market Towns Initiative and European Funding- Regenerating Communities Action Plan.
The group was drawn from local people who had contributed to the study during consultation exercised as well as representatives from the County, District and Town Councils who are actively encouraging this project.
Geoff Ardill was elected as chair for this meeting and to form a steering committee to establish a formal project. Cllr Averil MacDonald also agreed to act as vice chair at this stage. A small group of those present agreed to collaborate on the work of developing a constitution.
Geoff explained his vision for the Market Hall was for a multi-use facility in daily use which would be a focal point for the centre of the town. He said that along side the exciting projects to develop the Mereside and the long awaited Wharf and canal-side regeneration, the Market Hall would offer visitors an attraction in the centre of town and connect the other major projects.
The group discussed some of the exciting potential uses such as a new Library and Infolink, youth centre and café. The potential for exhibition and performance space is also very obvious. The traditional market is expected to flourish within this improved environment and Ellesmere's Mayor Ann Hartley hoped it would develop further.
Geoff Ardill said "we are very aware of the need to involve all current and potential users of this fine building in discussions for the future and we encourage people to come forward and join in the project".
The next public meeting at which a formal committee will be constituted will be in the Market Hall on 23rd November at 7.00 pm. Please attend at that meeting if you would like to get involved. Geoff commented that he expected that this will be a big project entailing a lot of hard work, but it will be worth it.
The steering committee will meet at the Ellesmere Library on 15th November and hope to circulate a draft constitution before the public meeting in November.
For more information contact the Market Towns Implementation Officer Trish Grantham at TGrantham@northshropshiredc.gov.uk
