Bold plan to give Victorian Market in Inverness a £1.5m facelift

INVERNESS’S Victorian Market could be transformed by October 2021 if radical plans to redesign it get the go-ahead.

Proposals for a new-look market hall area include creating a central event space, grouping similar retailers together in themed zones and possibly opening until 10pm.

The revamp could cost £1.5 million and city councillors will be presented with a business case on Thursday.

Plans indicate the layout would be changed to accommodate 15 new units – eight fewer than at present – and show off more of the building’s interior architecture.

The aim is to transform the building into a modern, vibrant attraction and draw more people into the city.

Although no decisions have been made yet, the plans have sparked concerns among some traders about their long-term future in the market, which is owned by Inverness Common Good Fund. Market manager Jo Murray could not rule out the possibility that some businesses might be relocated if they did not fit into the future vision of the market, but said Highland Council was working very closely with traders to understand their needs.

She also stressed the project was at an early stage and the estimated cost was an outline one.

See today's Courier for full story.

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