St John’s Market is to close this Friday (10 June) ahead of a £2 million transformation.

Shoppers will benefit from an increased number of stalls alongside new cafés and lifts when the new facility reopens ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period.

Spread over two floors, the revamped market will also include a new wide, central atrium space, a new seating area, new public toilets, WiFi access and space for ‘pop-up’ specialist markets such as antiques, craft or vintage clothing.

There will also be a modernised entrance on Elliot Street, with the approach to the market being opened up with improved signage to make it more visible to visitors.

The makeover will run alongside a £3m programme of improvements around the area including new paving and landscaping on Parker Street, Elliot Street and Houghton Street.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration, says: “St John’s Market has being looking tired and dated for a very long time and it is not a bright or particularly welcoming place to shop.

“It still has the feel of the 1970s and is very much in need of modernisation to meet the needs and expectations of today’s shoppers.

“It will see the market transformed into a much more up-to-date, brighter and more airy environment in keeping with current shopping trends.

“We also want to make it more attractive from the outside. Currently people can walk past its entrance in Elliot Street without realising they are outside a market.

“We believe the new entrance and signage will attract many more shoppers, especially when combined with the work we are doing outside to install new paving and landscaping.”

Ged James from St John’s Market Traders Association, adds: “We have all faced difficult times in the last few years with a downturn in business.

“We hope it will attract shoppers of all ages, and that it will bring back the feel of the old market in modern surroundings.”

Related posts:

St Johns Market to re-open next month following £2.5m revamp New-look St Johns Market opens to the public Community groups could help put St Johns Market ‘back on the map’ Green light expected for new Edge Lane leisure attractions First look at Metquarter transformation Home Farm in Croxteth Park ‘gets crafty’ with waste wood