The Market Hall Dilemma: Why They’re Struggling (and How to Save Them)

Markets are a part of our cultural heritage. If you look closely, the geography of many of our towns and villages is correlated to the granting of a Royal Market Charter, and with modern road signs proudly proclaiming ‘Market Town’, they remain deeply ingrained in the local consciousness. 

The last big revolution in markets was in the Victorian era when the expansive street markets which characterised town centres were enclosed in market hall buildings. Towns competed to create architecturally striking buildings, often adorned with intricate stonework, vaulted roofs, and spacious basements, that became essential gathering points and commercial hubs. But time has not been kind to these structures, and the market halls of today have faced growing challenges in remaining relevant, functional, and financially sustainable.

Each generation has a different view of what markets should be. For older generations, markets were extensive, bustling hubs of affordable food produce, retail and household goods. In contrast, younger audiences today gravitate towards event-led, food-centric markets, preferring lively stalls, artisanal goods, and unique experiences over the traditional retail offerings. But this evolution in taste is only part of the challenge.

Market trading, once a thriving sector with a steady base of dedicated traders, is dwindling. Many historic market businesses are closing up shop without successors as younger generations move out of the industry, and the new wave of traders operate differently – often using market stalls periodically to complement online sales rather than committing to a permanent presence. As a result, many markets have excess retail space, struggling to maintain a consistent offering to attract foot traffic week after week.

The iconic buildings themselves pose mounting problems. Often listed and with a legacy of underinvestment stretching back decades, these market halls often require extensive, costly repairs. Without significant funding, restoring these architectural gems becomes an unviable burden for local authorities, whose budgets are already stretched thin.

But it’s not all bad news. Over the past decade, market halls have been reimagined in what we at Next Phase call ‘Modern Market Halls.’ These projects, often backed by grant funding, are revitalising markets with fresh designs that blend food, retail, and community spaces. Many of these new markets are community-centric hubs, incorporating everything from co-working spaces to diverse food and drink options, reviving the market’s role as a vibrant town centre focal point.

Critics may label some ‘glorified food halls,’ nostalgic for the bustling retail markets of the 1980’s. However, this modern approach reflects a return to market roots, echoing the community-centred spirit of pre-war markets. A market is defined as a ‘concourse of buyers and sellers’, and today’s markets are again becoming melting pots, designed to be sustainable spaces that support local businesses, attract footfall, and provide financial returns for reinvestment and upkeep. 

The future of each market should be locally driven, with designs and operations that reflect the unique needs of the community. There’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach; from Southport’s street-food model to Grainger’s hybrid market and Shrewsbury’s more retail-focused offering, each market serves its community best by focusing on what it can offer uniquely. A standardised approach, like the “identikit” High Street model, leaves markets vulnerable to the same economic forces that have emptied many high streets across the country.

If your local market faces a dwindling trader base, high maintenance costs, and declining relevance, there is hope. At Next Phase, we help towns develop visions tailored to their markets, addressing both immediate improvements and long-term regeneration. By reimagining these spaces to reflect community needs, we can help markets reclaim their roles as local landmarks and economic engines. With funding available for historic and listed buildings, there are opportunities to develop and deliver more aspirational strategies which can set your market up for future success. Let’s start a conversation about your market’s future – reach out to discuss how we can support your vision.

Remember - Market Halls as we know them today were not popular with everyone when the schemes were first in development:

“The powers that be have decided that our noble spacious and glorious old Market Place, the pride of every native, with the exception of a few Jobbers who have no love for anything but filthy lucre, and who worship no God but Mammon, is to be built upon, we the poor who cannot afford to leave our homes and enjoy the pure air of a “villa residence”, are to suffer this wrong”

- Newspaper quote from a local resident when proposals were submitted for Darlington Market Hall, now an iconic feature of the town.