Bedford Borough’s historic Charter Market stalls have been given a recent upgrade, thanks to £60,000 in funding from the Town Centre Priority Fund.
The permanent awnings on St Paul’s Square, opposite the Corn Exchange, have been replaced and the metalwork has been updated thanks to the government funding.
Talia Giles, co-manager of Bedford Flea, Affordable Art & Local Produce Market told the Bedford Independent: “I feel like our ‘home’ on St. Paul’s Square has had a beautiful facelift.
“The charter market stalls give protection to our Flea and Art sections and the steel pillars and new blue canopies really set our vibrant market off.
“We love the decision from the council to install a white underside to the awnings as this enhances the feeling of natural light, not to mention looking far smarter.
“We can’t wait to test drive them this Sunday (11 September) for our next market.”
Councillor Henry Vann, the Portfolio Holder for Town Centres and Planning, said he was pleased to see the latest results of the investment come to fruition.
“It is great to see this further investment in our Town Centre and I’d urge everyone to head down on Wednesday and Saturday to our fabulous markets and to our rich programme of specialist markets and events,” he said.
Elected Mayor, Dave Hodgson, added, “With the work now complete, the stalls in our market square are visually so much better and, most importantly, drier for our traders.
“The last two and a half years have been extremely challenging for our town centre and market traders and the impacts of the pandemic have been far-reaching. That’s why I urge everyone to come out and support our local traders.
“Our markets add so much to our towns. From Bedford Charter Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, Kempston market on Thursdays, or other specialist markets, there is something for everyone.”
