Work to finally start on creating food and events hub at Melton Mowbray's Stockyard

Melton Borough Council is using £12M in government levelling up funding awarded back in 2023 to create a major events and food production hub aimed at attracting an extra 50,000 annual visitors to the town.

Diggers were expected on site back in the spring but work was delayed while the scale of the scheme was reviewed.

Robertson Construction (Yorkshire and East Midlands) has been appointed to deliver the works, which will not impact the upcoming East Midlands Food Festival – scheduled this weekend.

The scheme will be delivered in phases through to March 2028, with the initial focus on transforming the trader hall into a revitalised market and food space with a new weather-protected roof structure.

Livestock market activities will continue as usual as well as operations for businesses based on the site, such as Round Corner Brewing and Feast and the Furious.

The council’s project team has worked closely with market operator, Gillstream Markets Ltd (GML), and the contractors to minimise disruption and enable trading and events to continue throughout the construction programme.

Markets will remain on site, with traders temporarily relocating to the Exhibition Hall and Banqueting Suite while works take place.

One victim of the redevelopment work is the Sunday Market, which was discontinued recently as it could not be accommodated within the revised site arrangements.

Borough council leader, Councillor Ronan Browne, who is also portfolio holder for growth, communities and place, said: "The start of construction marks an important milestone for Stockyard and a major step forward in delivering our vision for the site.

"While people will soon start to see works taking place on the ground, one of our key priorities has been ensuring that traders, markets and events can continue to operate throughout the redevelopment programme.

"The temporary arrangements that have been put in place will allow Stockyard to remain open for business while these improvements are delivered."

And Hugh Brown, CEO of Gillstream Markets Ltd, added: "We thank our traders and customers for their patience and in advance for working with us and the project team to keep the market open during the works.”

Jonathan Sizer, regional managing director for the contractors, commented: "By working closely with Melton Borough Council, Gillstream Markets Ltd and stakeholders across the site, we've been able to develop a construction programme that balances ongoing activity with the delivery of long-term improvements.”

The finished scheme will include an Anchor Building, which will provide a flexible commercial and educational space for artisan businesses, food producers and skills development activities.

The upper floor will offer a high-quality event and conference area capable of hosting celebrations, workshops and business events.

There will be two food and drink production hubs while The Square will offer a flexible outdoor event space equipped with ‘plug and play’ infrastructure to support markets, festivals, performances and community events.

A Cultural Hub is to be created from the existing banqueting suite and exhibition hall for educational activities, exhibitions, performances, conferences and community use.

Families will also have access to a new Changing Places facility in a central location to complement enhanced toilets on the site.