KNUTSFORD Market Hall is set to be knocked down and redesigned in a £900,000 project which is set to include four income-generating apartments.

The market, in Silk Mill Street, was initially subject to a £100,000 facelift plan, but a town council working group decided that the best way forward was to completely rebuild the market and maximise the use of the site by adding residential properties.

Knutsford Town Council has since received submissions from architects to work on the project, selecting King Street-based SiCa to take on the idea.

Town clerk Adam Keppel-Green said: “This is a hugely exciting project for the town council which will see us working with a local architect to create an improved market for the town.

“We’re looking to create a building that will stand the test of time and provide an attractive trading space to rival the markets of other towns.”

The new plan features a three-arch frontage and complements the neighbouring Freemasons pub.

It is hoped the project will fund itself through market hall and apartment income, and the council will work with existing traders throughout the process with a view to them being the first to set up shop in the new building.

Town centre manager Sandra Curties is investigating options to keep them trading during the build.

Adam said: “Reviewing the plans the working group agreed that Knutsford-based SiCa offered the best proposal for a new market hall and apartment building which would be in keeping with the character of the Conservation Area.

“The working group agreed that the design required some honing and the internals of the market would need to be appropriately designed, a very rough outline being provided at present.

“The estimated project cost for the new market is £900,000, including professional fees and demolition of the existing. It is, at this stage, an estimate depending on the final design, finish and fit-out of the market and apartments.

“It is considered that the project is feasible and that the project could be funded through a Public Works loan to be paid back through the income from the market and apartments.”

The apartments would have no parking spaces. Options remain for leasehold sale, rental or even hotel rooms.

Cllr Julian Goodrich, chairman of the town council’s assets and operations committee, said: “I think it’s a really good-looking scheme and a great idea that will revive that market hall to something the town can be proud of in the future.”

Following a committee decision to commission SiCa on Monday, the town council will invest £16,000 in professional fees which will lead it to a planning application stage.