The £2.39m Market Square scheme will create a flexible 1,000m2 public space for everyday use outside the Town Hall and the space will become a venue for outdoor events of all sizes, positioning Midsomer Norton as a market town once more.
The project complements the ongoing restoration of Midsomer Norton’s Town Hall, making it possible for a combination of indoor and outdoor events to be held in the town.
The works will also improve pedestrian access, make it safer for vehicles entering and exiting The Island and provide new road surfacing. Ten car parking spaces including two disabled parking bays that comply with modern standards are part of the scheme.
The Market Square is part of the £3.7m Midsomer Norton High Street Regeneration Programme, which follows on from the successful High Street Heritage Action Zone which comes to an end this spring. It celebrates the history of the town, to attract residents and visitors to the high street and support economic growth.
The programme also includes £1m grant funding towards the Town Hall transformation project and a £115k shopfront improvement scheme to improve eight shopfronts, five of which have already been completed through the HSHAZ including Somer Printing, Fox & Kit and Canine Class.
The scheme is being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council, with funding and support provided by Historic England, the West of England Combined Authority through its ‘Love Our High Streets’ grant programme and Midsomer Norton Town Council.
The Market Square works will start at the beginning of April and are expected to be completed by early 2025.
The bus stop serving the Island will be removed on March 18 ahead of the works and a temporary stop used on Silver Street.
The compound for the building site during the construction will be South Road car park and the compound will occupy up to 39 car parking spaces, however it is not anticipated that this will prevent people from parking at South Road car park due to its large capacity.
The programme of works can be viewed at yourmidsomernorton.co.uk and updates will be added to the website as the works progress.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Markets were held in Midsomer Norton as far back as 1242 and it’s exciting that a long-held vision to bring a modern Market Square to the town several hundred years later is now becoming a reality. It’s going to create a welcoming and lively space that will benefit the community and local businesses, revitalising the town centre and attracting more people to discover everything Midsomer Norton has to offer. I’m also pleased that we have recently committed to creating safer and better connected active travel routes in Midsomer Norton and Westfield with a £1.5m walking, wheeling and cycling links improvement scheme.
“The new Market Square is an ambitious project that will take the best part of a year to complete. We apologise in advance for any disruption caused and we will keep residents and businesses informed of issues that might affect them as the works progress.”
Mayor Dan Norris said: “Midsomer Norton deserves a boost. Coupled with the exciting regeneration of the Town Hall, the Market Square improvements are going to really put the town on the map. It will mean top-notch indoor and outdoor events can be held in the town.
“It’s brilliant news that this exciting project is underway as part of a £1 million-plus cash injection from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. Soon we will have a town centre that matches up to the town’s rich history and ensures a bright future.”
Councillor Gordon Mackay, Mayor of Midsomer Norton, said: “The Island regeneration will complement the first stage of the Town Hall project which will see the return of the community cinema, public toilets and the reinstatement of the original 1860's market hall. It’s wonderful to see millions of pounds of investment in Midsomer Norton’s High Street which is seeing several big-name brands moving in to join the many fantastic independent shops we already have.
“This substantial investment on the High Street follows a series of public realm improvements in Midsomer Norton including developing a town park complete with 300 seat amphitheatre, a beautiful nature walk by the Wellow Brook, a new Multi Use Games Area at West Clewes and opening up the Garden of Friendship by the ancient Tithe Barn. This is an exciting time to be living in Midsomer Norton and thanks to the people who have put in so much work to get us this far.”
Rebecca Barrett, South West Regional Director at Historic England, said: “The Market Square project will build on the success of the High Street Heritage Action Zone to deliver a major transformation in the historic heart of Midsomer Norton. We’re delighted to continue our partnership with B&NES Council, the Town Council, and many others committed to the town’s regeneration, and look forward to seeing this project get under way.”
The community will be consulted on proposed events in the Market Square before any events are held.
Residents and businesses in and around The Island have been notified in advance about the start of the works.
Find out about all of the ongoing and planned regeneration projects across B&NES.