The vision of a transformed 21st century Hereford took a step nearer reality this week as the county council signed up for a new retail sector and a refurbished city centre Buttermarket.
In an exclusive interview with the Journal, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member Councillor Adrian Blackshaw and economic development director Geoff Hughes revealed moves that will link Hereford’s historic heart with the first phase of the 100-acre Edgar Street Grid development.
“A Big Bang is not on the cards for the Buttermarket, but we hope to start work on a master plan and move tenants out in readiness during the first quarter of next year.
“The need to move tenants while refurbishment is underway has been dictated by the cost to have kept them in place, and having to work on the cellars and roof.
“I know that non-food traders are worried they may be unable to return to the new Buttermarket, but they have been assured that long-term tenants can come back - and the whole issue is subject to public consultation,” said Councillor Blackshaw.
Advice from the National Association of British Markets, who run major operations in the UK and who have “been there before” in transforming old sites, and research at successful, and profitable, indoor venues such as the food and drink quarter in Cork City, has led the council team to take a look at design concepts at the end of this summer.
