Derby Market Hall Completes Roof Restoration

AFTER UNDERGOING extensive roof and structural restoration, the team behind the transformation of Derby’s iconic Market Hall has revealed that the first phase of work has now completed.

The Grade II listed Victorian market hall, which has been trading since 1866, is being transformed into a vibrant cultural and retail destination.

Wates Construction has been leading an expert project team of local architects and engineers on the flagship project, comprising Latham Architects, Rogers Leask, and Clancy Consultants.

The work completed includes extensive heritage glazed roof replacement works following masonry repairs to the building envelope, internal cleaning of the roof structure, and lead paint removal.

The roofing works involved increasing the ridge height to accommodate natural ventilation for the building, copper roofing replacement, gutter and rainwater works, installing access equipment, localised electric works, lightening protection, and decoration.

Roof Restoration

John Carlin, Regional Director at Wates Construction, said: “Before this work on the roof was carried out, the Market Hall often had to close to customers for safety reasons if there was possibility of strong winds, snow, or heavy rain in case the glass windows came out of their frames. Along with the extensive restoration of the roof structure, all of these windows have now been replaced, meaning that closing the market and disrupting trade just for weather will no longer be necessary.

“Making sure that trading could continue while initial surveys and work on the roof took place was particularly important. To do this, we installed a scaffolding structure to give access to the roof without disrupting ground level activity. It was an impressive feat of engineering all by itself, which would have spanned more than 62 miles if placed end-to-end and weighed almost 900 tonnes, but it really was the key to making sure trade could continue despite our ongoing work, supporting the city’s traders post-pandemic.

“It has been a privilege to work on the restoration and transformation of such an iconic and unique building, maintaining its historic charm but also bringing it into the council’s overall modern vision for the revitalisation of the wider city centre.”

Involving the Community

Throughout the process, the project team supported traders and the council project team to a high level, offering tours and site visits, as well as engaging with local sixth-form college students and a range of industry professionals to involve the local community in the project.

The team is now looking forward to commencing the second phase of the regeneration programme, which is set for later this year and will focus on internal and external configuration to transform the space for up to 32 market stalls, which will be portable for flexibility.

The Market Hall is located within Derby’s City Centre Conservation Area, which also contains Derby Cathedral, the Silk Mill, and the Guildhall Theatre, and was originally designed by Derbyshire engineer Rowland Mason Ordish. When completed, it will complement the emerging Cultural Hub.

Derby City Councillor Mick Barker, said: “Derby Market Hall is one of the city’s most beautiful and prominent buildings. As a Grade II listed building, it deserves tasteful and sympathetic attention to detail to its renovation. Quality takes time and we’re delighted to see that this striking copper roof has now been finished, which paves the way for the rest of the Market Hall’s transformation.”

Wates Construction was appointed via SCAPE’s Major Works framework. The second phase of development is set to commence on site in Q4 2022, with an aim to complete in 2024.

>> Read about more heritage projects in the news