Council leader says revamped Glossop halls are due to reopen despite work delays and cost fears

A council leader has explained it has been possible to undertake a ‘significant regeneration project’ with its Glossop halls for future generations despite a councillor’s fears that the scheme’s costs have rocketed with on-going delays.

High Peak Borough Council started the rejuvenation of Glossop’s Market Hall, Town Hall and Municipal Buildings in October, 2022, as part of an original £7m scheme funded by the council including a £2m grant from the former Government-backed D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership.

However, Cllr Adrian Hopkinson has argued the scheme, particularly concerning Glossop Market Hall, has taken several years already and it has faced and is facing delays and he fears the overall scheme’s cost is more likely to be around £11m rather than the originally stipulated £7m.

But Labour Council Leader, Cllr Anthony McKeown said: “This is the most significant investment in these historic buildings for decades – but this project is about so much more than just renovating the buildings.

“They’ve been transformed into fantastic, flexible, modern spaces which safeguards them for this and future generations and ensures they will remain at the heart of the vibrant, thriving town centre and community life for decades to come.

“What started out as repairs and replacement of the Market Hall roof has become this significant regeneration project thanks to our success in attracting external funding, which, together with our investment, means we’re able to restore and return the whole complex to use and deliver new opportunities for businesses, a rejuvenated market, new food and drink, leisure and socialising spaces and places for community use.”

But Conservative Cllr Hopkinson has argued the roof has needed a lot more work than originally thought, costs of materials have increased, and he claims there was a struggle to get workers to do jobs for the council because council work requires them to pay costly indemnity insurance which created further delays.

Cllr Hopkinson also claims completion targets have been missed including one in early 2024 and he fears plans for an April or May opening, in 2025, will be further delayed and that it could be as late as September, 2025.

The council stated at an early stage that work at the Market Hall would include replacing electrical and fire safety systems with a 12-month temporary closure and there were plans to engage with the traders to discuss their requirements and support them with alternative arrangements during this period.

It also stated in September. 2024, the Glossop Market Hall renovation was making ‘good progress’ and by December, 2024, the council explained the major regeneration project to rejuvenate Glossop’s halls was almost complete and the council was in the final stages of appointing a partner to manage the buildings and the services they will provide.

But Cllr Hopkinson said Glossop Market Hall should have originally opened in April, 2024, and he questioned how the scheme could be progressing well when there has been at least one year’s delay and the council still does not have an opening date.

He also claims fire safety concerns with the building meant it was necessary to build a new fire escape, three new fire doors and put in a new window creating further unforeseen delays and costs.

Cllr Hopkinson also claims three newly-installed fire doors are not thick enough and do not comply with regulations and he believes they have been fitted at a cheaper cost and he has not been able to see a paper trail to confirm if they have been fitted by workers with appropriate certification.

The council leader has previously stated it is important the council spends time to get the right result before the buildings are expected to reopen in 2025 and that it would be well worth the wait.

But Cllr Hopkinson has urged the council needs to be more open about delays, the nature and problems of necessary work, any new costs to the council and to residents, the increasing loss of rent and how this will all be covered, as well as the impact upon businesses waiting to return to the Market Hall.

Cllr McKeown said: “The age and heritage of the buildings have presented some challenges, and it has taken longer to complete the building works than we had originally hoped, but we are almost there now as we finalise compliance with all regulatory requirements.

“We’re also completing the legal process of formally appointing Fork and Field Catering Limited to manage the buildings and operate the services and amenities they will deliver.

“Then, next steps will be to share more details about what people can expect – including the name the company will operate under in Glossop when the buildings reopen this year.”