'Old and unwelcoming' markets to be revitalised

A marketplace which councillors say has been "blighted by empty units" is to be regenerated as part of a £1.5m project.

City of Doncaster Council has approved plans to repurpose Mexborough's market hall in York Square and to demolish the adjacent multi-storey car park and replace it with a surface level car park.

The latest plans are part of ongoing regeneration in the area after the council was awarded £12.5m of Leveling Up funding to boost Mexborough and the High Street.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: "This next stage of regeneration will concentrate on improving the Mexborough markets, an area that has incredible potential."

Jones said: "As part of the planned works, the multi-storey car park, which is costly to maintain and often an area of anti social behaviour, will be demolished.

"This will enhance the town centre and, due to the ongoing works taking place around the bus station, will actually increase the amount of car parking available.

"We will continue to work alongside the local community, including residents and businesses, to ensure that the full programme of works fit the needs and wants of the community."

As part of the overall plans, the markets will move away from traditional stalls and the hall will be redeveloped with adaptable units.

Work will start immediately and is expected to be fully complete by summer 2027, the council said.

It will add to the ongoing landscape improvements on the High Street plus improvements to Bank Street, the Athletic Sports Club, Swinton Road, Station Road and shop fronts.

A council report said York Square and the markets have "been blighted" by empty units and "an ageing square which makes the Market Hall feel old and unwelcoming".

It said: "The market hall is an expensive asset to maintain and operate and is compromised by poor access via a delapidated square full of retail voids and old-fashioned permanent market stalls obstructing the entrance. The ongoing commercial viability of the market is challenging.

"The council seeks to use Levelling Up funding to refurbish and take a lease on the nine vacant retail units.

"The refurbished units will be offered to market traders to take up the units on a sub-lease from the council. Markets traders have been canvased on the proposals and are enthusiastic."

The report goes on to say few people use the multi-storey car park, adding that is has become a "hot bed for anti-social behaviour, with young people climbing the structure, accessing the roof area and throwing objects onto the high street".

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