Wrexham: Butchers and General Markets to reopen to public

The finishing touches are being made as the grand relaunch will kick off at 10am tomorrow (November 28) as residents hope to catch the first glimpse.

The Butchers and General Markets have been closed since Summer 2023. For the first time in over three-decades, the markets have been transformed into a modern space while retaining its familiar structure and building traits.

The white panelled ceilings and black rafters have been fixed to prevent leakages while still offering a sense of nostalgia to long-time customers and visitors.

Butchers Market, Wrexham (Image: Newsquest)

During the excavation work in the Butchers Market, which opened in 1879, archaeologists discovered a wall which they then documented before it was backfilled, along with a number of historic shopfronts which have been incorporated into the newly refurbished shop fronts.

An original stone staircase which was uncovered to the first-floor vaulted room has also been left in place to become an interesting feature of the market.

The space has been transformed into a light, airy and attractive environment featuring the main market hall which offers plenty of social seating areas in amongst the stalls which now have improved storage facilities. 

New and existing stalls are offering delicious homemade bread, a variety of locally sourced Welsh cheese, organic foods and fruit and vegetables.

Lifts and ramps have also been installed to improve the overall accessibility of the markets, as well as offering a more functional entrance to the building which you can enter via High Street and Henblas Street.

(Image: Newsquest)

The project has been overseen by SWG Constructions as part of the Wrexham Townscape Heritage Scheme and has been funded through the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government Transforming Towns Fund, and Wrexham Council's capital programme.

The construction team behind the renovation of Wrexham’s historic markets say they are delighted to see the project come to a successful completion.

Jacqui Gough, director of SWG Group, said: “We are very grateful to Wrexham County Borough Council for putting their trust in us to renovate two buildings which are so important to the city and community.

“As with every project involving historic structures, there have been plenty of interesting challenges along the way.

(Image: Newsquest)

“We also found a number of original features and shop fronts which we have tried to incorporate into as much of the new-look buildings as possible.

“It has been a significant project, involving everything from installing new electrical systems to repairing historic stonework, and both buildings are now back to being something the whole of Wrexham can be proud of."

Lead member for Economy and Regeneration at Wrexham Council, Cllr Nigel Williams, said: “The refurbishment of our historic markets represents a significant investment in two prominent city centre locations.

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“The substantial transformations of both the Butchers and General Markets will bridge the gap between Wrexham as a historic market town and our bright future as a destination and ambitious city.

“On behalf of WCBC I would like to thank SWG Construction for their hard work in bringing the projects to fruition, as well as thanking our officers who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.”

The opening coincides with the city's iconic Victorian Christmas Market featuring tasty treats, workshops and all your favourite local businesses. It will take place across High Street, Church Street and St Giles for four-days between November 28 and December 1. 

The first customers to attend the reopening will see the official ringing of the original market bell, traditionally rung during the start and close of each trading day, which was rediscovered during the 1992 refurbishments.