Revamp plans for Victorian Market in Inverness may cost more than £1.5 million after "unforeseen items" identified
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Councillors have been warned the cost of the planned Victorian Market revamp could exceed the current budget
City councillors were warned today that the tender figure may be over the agreed budget of £1.5 million from the Inverness Common Good Fund as “a number of unforeseen items have been identified”.
The work, expected to start this summer, includes creating a new-look market hall area with a central event space and grouping similar retailers together in themed zones.
The aim is to transform the building into a modern, vibrant attraction and draw more people into the city.
David Haas, Highland Council’s city manager, stated in a report to councillors that tenders are due to be returned by mid-March for work to start on site in July.
He added: “Concerns have been raised by the design team that the tender figure may be over the budget amount as a number of unforeseen items have been identified during the design process.”
Mr Haas refused to elaborate but pointed out the building will be 150 years old.
“When you are dealing with a building of this nature and vintage, you might come across challenges which cause costs to rise,” he said.
The aim of the refurbishment, expected to take a year to complete, is to transform the building into a modern, vibrant attraction and draw more people into the city.
But it has also attracted controversy with traders in the market and fish halls set to be evicted when the work starts.
Mr Haas said they were being offered a compensation package and officials were working to support individual businesses through the changes and provide information to enable them to reach decisions regarding the future.
He stressed other areas of the market would remain open during the work.
“We are working very closely with businesses to make sure these areas remain vibrant and effective as best we can,” he said.
