Flea Market chosen as name for Ellesmere Port Market’s event space

Following a public vote on a shortlist of four options, the public chose to retain its existing name. Over 620 votes were cast online via the market’s website.

The voting broke down across the four shortlisted options as follows:

• The Flea Market – 35%
• The Market Social – 26%
• The Market Space – 21%
• The Market Warehouse – 18%

The shortlist was selected by Ellesmere Port Councillors from more than 100 names suggested by the public in the first stage of the naming process.

Works to refurbish the market hall and Flea Market are set to commence early in the new year, following feedback from traders to allow uninterrupted trading during the busier festive period.

The Flea Market will be transformed to create a flexible event space adjoining the market hall. This will enable the space to host a wider range of events including visiting markets, music, social and community events, alongside the popular current uses which include second-hand markets, craft fairs and Comic Con events which will continue to be held there.

Councillor Nathan Pardoe, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy, Regeneration and Digital Transformation said:

“Thank you to everyone that submitted names and voted for their choice in the final shortlist. Ellesmere Port Market and the Flea Market are cherished by the community, it’s why the Council is investing over £8m in transforming them. This is the biggest investment in the town centre for decades and recognises that traders and the residents have been calling for improvements.

“The transformed Flea Market will offer a unique and vibrant community resource and begin a new chapter for the town by providing a purpose-built event space capable of hosting a wide variety of events. We want to hear from anyone who would like to work with us and has ideas on the types of events we can hold there once the transformation is complete.

 “Markets are important to the communities they serve, and at a time when other councils are withdrawing from markets due to funding pressures, this Council remains committed to them and to Ellesmere Port.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council are embarking on a major transformation of the market hall and the adjoining Flea Market as part of a wider £13 million town centre regeneration project.

The market and Flea Market transformation project has received funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government. The project will transform Ellesmere Port Market, prepare for low carbon town centre housing around Coronation Road and create a new walking, wheeling and cycling route to bring more residents and visitors into the town centre.