KNUTSFORD Market Hall is in line for an extensive £100,000 overhaul, after councillors dismissed a separate option to add a mezzanine floor.

The move, recommended by the National Association of British Market Authorities following an extensive report, could see new ceiling and flooring, as well as a revised stall layout, refurbished toilets and the installation of a cloud Wi-Fi network.

Members of Knutsford Town Council’s assets and operations committee voted unanimously to prepare a tender for the works, which will be developed in consultation with market traders.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Garner said: “The report gives a clear recommendation that the best route forward for the market hall is to undertake a refurbishment and that the creation of an additional trading floor would unlikely be commercially viable.”

Adam also reported that there are two current stall vacancies, with the council experiencing difficulty in filling them due in part to uncertainty over future development of the market.

The NAMBA report was commissioned in April by the town council, to whom the market transferred from Cheshire East Council ownership in 2014.

Trading four days a week in Silk Milk Street, the 14-unit, five-trader market is described as offering traders ‘extremely good value’ compared to neighbouring towns’ markets – even with a proposed 10 per cent increase in rent – and as having a ‘loyal customer base’.

“The market is generally well presented but the facilities are dated,” the report said.

“The ambience is in need of attention, the general lighting is dour and the stalls in need of modernising.

“We have seen that the market is well promoted and the limited budget appears to be well spent.

“It is clear that the town council is very committed to the market and would look to invest substantially in the market to secure its long term sustainability.”

The report suggested three options – do nothing, refurbish and extend to a second floor, or a full refurbishment, which comes with ‘an indicative cost’ of £100,000 to include improved signage around the town centre, alleyway to King Street and market front.

Decisions unanimously approved by councillors included committing to the refurbishment, preparing and issuing tenders, investigating the provision of Wi-Fi, investigating specialty markets for Silk Mill Street, investigating options for improved signage, and developing a market strategy.

Market traders will be consulted throughout the process, with full costing to be completed within nine months and concerns – including temporary relocation – to be addressed at the same time.

Committee chairman Julian Goodrich said: “We are looking for the very best for the market, and hopefully they will be with us.”