Market Place refurbishment begins next week: Dates and diversions

Work will start next week on a major transformation of Grantham Market Place into an accessible, public open space fit for the 21st Century.

The improvements will drive footfall in Grantham town centre and the market area – and create a multi-use, social space for local people and visitors in the heart of Grantham.

The roadworks will mean temporary changes to through routes for vehicles.

This includes closure of Market Place, Narrow Westgate and Conduit Lane, 24 hours a day for the duration of the work which begins on Tuesday, 7th May, and is expected to take 22 weeks.

Drivers will be asked to follow a diversion via High Street / A52 Wharf Road / Sankt Augustin Way / Barrowby Road / A607 / Brownlow Street / Watergate and vice versa. Union Street and Conduit Lane will remain open up to Greyfriars and the taxi rank.

A spokesperson for South Kesteven District Council said: “The Market Place improvement builds on current projects to improve shop fronts to enhance the appeal of the town centre, and SKDC’s work to encourage more affordable housing in the town centre through upper-floor conversions.

“The Council’s roles and responsibilities include showcasing everything that is great about our towns and attracting investment.

“The newly agreed Corporate Plan outlines an ambition to support a dynamic and growing local economy to the benefit of all our communities, and to make South Kesteven an attractive place to visit, work, invest, study and do business in.”

The Market Place about to be pedestrianised in 2011

The £4.19 million of investment, secured from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund through a bid by South Kesteven District Council, will transform both the Market Place and the Conduit, where refurbished public toilets will be reopened. A second phase will improve the town approach from the railway station to create a pedestrian-led environment, with this work expected to start in November.

The Future High Streets Fund is for designated work and can only be used on this project.

While work is under way, the historic street market will occupy more of Narrow Westgate.

More information and updates can be found on SKDC’s regular channels, including Facebook, ‘X’ (Twitter), the local media and Business Club bulletins.