TRADERS from the Butchers Market in Wrexham are having one-to-one meetings with the council about a planned relocation while the historic building is refurbished.

Wrexham Council plans to refurbish the Grade II Listed market building on High Street some time next year, with traders set to have to move out while the work takes place.

A meeting has taken place with council representatives and one-to-ones with traders have also begun, in a bid to pave the way for the work to start in 2022.

Anxious traders 

But traders at the historic market have been anxious about the potential impact of any temporary closure of the building while the work takes place and also about what the refurbishment might mean for them and their place in the market.

No date has been confirmed by the council but some traders have told The Leader that they believed this work could begin around April.

The Leader: Wrexham's historic Butchers Market Wrexham's historic Butchers Market

Rob Clarke from the Mad 4 Movies stall at the Butchers Market said the traders had had an initial meeting with the new project manager and they were glad to have some answers to their questions about the refurbishment plans.

He said: "The building hasn't been touched structurally since the early 1990s. I'm sure there will be a lot of things to sort out. In a perfect world, I'd like the work to be done around us but it's not going to be possible.

"The council have appointed a project manager now which is good news. It means the wheels are in motion and we can get some answers as to what's going on. It's looking like they will start the work next year.

"They have said that they do want us to come back. It all depends on what we want and what they want. We all want to keep trading. People are coming into the market at the moment and asking it it is closing.

"The council told us that if we want to move to another council property while the refurbishment takes place then they will help us. If we want to take compensation and go our own way then fair enough too.

"The council may be able to move us all together into a place. I don't know much about that yet. They'd assist us with that. If everybody was in agreement then I wouldn't be against that.

"There doesn't seem to be any issue with traders wanting to return once the work is complete. Obviously, this is an ongoing thing and I am monitoring the situation."

The Leader: Dave and Tracey Rogers from Tracey's Cafe in Wrexham's historic Butchers Market Dave and Tracey Rogers from Tracey's Cafe in Wrexham's historic Butchers Market

Tracey Rogers from Tracey's Cafe in the Butchers Market said: "The council are coming around for a brief chat to see what we need in our new place when we relocate. We don't know where it is yet. We met the new project manager at the meeting and he said to us that it could be around April next year when we move out of the market.

"The work would take around 12 months. I am hoping we will get some support with the costs of relocating and moving back in. I'm not planning on putting my hand in my pocket. I would want the same cupboards, the same counter. I want everything the same when we move. Hopefully we will know more after the next meeting."

A Wrexham Council spokesperson said: "We are in constant dialogue with the existing traders and keep them updated as to our plans with as much notice as possible.

"We hope to facilitate the move from the markets, and then back to the markets with as little disruption to the traders as possible while we complete the much needed refurbishments.

"We have had started discussions with traders in relation to returning to the newly refurbished market; we are following this up individually to clarify their intentions for the future before we confirm what arrangements will suit all parties."