Second section of finished paving opens as part of historic £10m refurbishment of Northampton’s Market Square

We are one step nearer to the long-awaited completion of the town’s historic Market Square £10m redevelopment as another section of new paving opens to the public.

The pathway – which stretches from the bottom of Abington Street and up past the former entrance to Market Walk heading towards the Grosvenor Centre – was unveiled today (Monday).

It joins up with another completed stretch of paving outside Zapato Lounge and one of the main entrances to the shopping centre, which opened to the public in November.

The cobbles used as part of the transformation of Northampton’s historic market square have been retained from the previous paving where possible, and sympathetically restored to reuse as part of the regenerated space.

Councillor Daniel Lister, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Town Centre Regeneration and Growth at West Northamptonshire Council said: “Visitors to Northampton town centre can now access the Grosvenor Centre from Abington Street alongside Market Walk as this section of completed paving at Market Square opens, which will help to provide increased connectivity to this part of the town.

“We are delighted that the existing cobbles have been restored and retained as part of the regeneration works, which provide a nod to the square’s history. Working closely with our partners Stepnell, it is great to see the project progress and reach important milestones such as this.”

Further progress has been made in February as the light columns for the site were installed and four of the permanent market stalls arrived and have been fitted.

The remainder of the bespoke market stalls are due to arrive this month, which will sit alongside semi-mature trees which will be planted.Northampton’s long standing market traders were forced to move to Commercial Street car park at the start of 2023 when works commenced on the Market Square.

Only one full-time trader (excluding food vans and part time traders) remains on the temporary site.

WNC said the design, cladding and colour of the new stalls ‘compliment the surroundings’, adding: “These stalls are a bespoke design with unique features, designed specifically for the needs of the Northampton Market traders. They are made of heavy-duty steel frames with robust cladding, which provides a sustainable and robust product.”

The project is due for summer completion.