Darlington Market
A project between Darlington Borough Council and Market Asset Management (Darlington) Ltd. an operating subsidiary of The Pioneer Market Group Ltd.
December 2, 2025
No Comments
A project between Cheshire East Borough Council and Market Asset Management Ltd. an operating subsidiary of The Pioneer Market Group Ltd.
Raymond Linch was invited to visit Crewe Market in 2016, a 30,000 sq. ft Victorian Market Hall, which at the time only had one trader in occupation. The market was 95% un-let.
We were initially appointed by Cheshire East Borough Council in April 2016 for a little over a year and then again in late 2018, it will continue until the summer of 2020. The Council wanted to e develop its indoor market hall (£3.4m) and reviewing the way its mixed market portfolio across the Borough is delivered and managed. We advised the structure and content of the new operational agreement for the management of the markets estate which includes several open markets.
We provided professional advice concerning the redevelopment of Crewe’s Victorian Market Hall, developing a business case for success including ownership and management options.
The Market Hall had been failing for a number of years with very few traders (occupancy was 5%) and only serving a very limited sector of the community. It’s location was somewhat off the town-centre retail core.
A demographic review of Crewe and surrounding areas to establish the profile of potential visitors to a newly refurbished Crewe Market.
Stakeholder engagement with Council officers, Crewe Town Council, schools and colleges and the local theatre.
We developed an aspirational tenant mix to create a larger, relevant more diverse market shopper base and associated letting schedule. The new market would also enjoy late night (9pm) opening particularly Thursday, Friday and Saturdays when a full entertainment programme will be implemented.
We worked with the Council’s legal partners to devise and manage a strategy to deliver vacant possession of the market enabling works to commence and trader continuity.
We worked with the Council’s legal partners to devise and manage a strategy to deliver vacant possession of the market enabling works to commence and trader continuity.
We developed an architect’s brief for the working part of the market, including refurbishment of Victorian retail units, new units for independent food and beverage offers, communal seating, an events space, with particular emphasis including:
Deliver excellent foot-flow patterns both to and from and within the market hall.
Engineer an ideal general arrangement including positioning of specific user clauses
Advise with respect to specifications and finishes
We developed a long-term financial business case underpinning capital investment in the scheme, valuing not only commercial advantages and costs associated with the scheme, but also financially valuing the socio-economic advantages.
Following completion of the project in 2020, Market Asset management was awarded a lease and management agreement for Crewe Market.
The site has consistently operated at 100% occupancy through diligent management, enthusiastic approach to events and marketing and a first-class leasing department, continually reviewing tenants and replacing where necessary.
Check out other projects that Market Curators have helped with.
A project between Darlington Borough Council and Market Asset Management (Darlington) Ltd. an operating subsidiary of The Pioneer Market Group Ltd.
A project between City of Doncaster Council and Market Asset Management (Doncaster) Ltd. an operating subsidiary of The Pioneer Market Group Ltd.
Market Curators was appointed in 2024 and are working on design specification and financial business plan following RIBA stages for the indoor and outdoor markets.
Local authorities, developers, landlords and community partners all have a role to play, and we’d love to hear about your project. Get in touch on 0203 857 3847 or email hello@marketcurators.uk for a conversation about how we can help shape your market or food hall.