It is set to be third time lucky for plans for a new market for Birkenhead as work on the project is to begin ‘in the coming days’ after two previously stalled attempts. Tony McDonough reports
A stop-start project to create a new market in Birkenhead will finally start to become a reality in the next few days.
Wirral Council said on Monday that the construction and fit-out of the new market, on the site of the former TJ Hughes store in The Pyramids shopping centre, was about to begin.
This follows the decision to approve the award of a pre-construction services agreement and enabling works to Liverpool-based Krol Corlett Construction after a formal procurement process in a £619,843 deal.
Two previous projects to create a new market have been shelved in the last two years. Plans for a new facility in the House of Fraser site on Grange Road were scrapped in December 2023.
And, late in 2025, councillors abandoned a £12m plan for a market in the former Argos outlet, despite having already spent £1.3m on it.
In March the council announced it had applied for planning permission to demolish the current market at Grange Precinct. Notices were placed on the market building saying the work could start from October – but only after all current market traders have relocated.
Discussions with market traders is also continuing as the proposed market plans are developed. Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Birkenhead Market, and for the town centre as a whole.
“A huge amount of work has been going on behind the scenes to get to this stage. I’m incredibly pleased that people will soon start to see a real transformation getting underway at the former TJ Hughes site to create the town’s new market.
“Birkenhead Market’s greatest strength has always been the people who make it what it is, and despite the challenges of recent years our traders have continued to serve customers and champion the market.
“Their partnership and commitment has been instrumental in bringing us to this point and will continue to be vital as we create a market fit for the future.”
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Daniel Tebay, managing director of Krol Corlett, added: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Wirral Council on the Birkenhead Market project, which represents an important investment in the town’s future.
“This development will help create a modern destination while respecting the market’s rich heritage and its place at the heart of the local community.”