‘Welcoming’ Foodhall in Victorian Market provides a ‘quality food experience’
Refurbishment and promotion of a market and fish hall into a foodhall has seen a steady increase in customers to the Victorian Market in Inverness.
A report to The Highland Council’s City of Inverness Area Committee states: “The Foodhall has created a modern open plan market with extended opening hours that people are beginning to treat the market as a city centre destination for not only shopping but a quality food experience whilst enjoying good company.”
Leader of Inverness and Area Cllr Ian Brown said: “This report is great news for Inverness city centre and for locals and visitors to the city. I am delighted that almost half of the new units have been let in the Foodhall with a further unit under offer. A unit is also available on a week-to-week basis for food businesses that wish to trial the market or are not in a position to commit to a formal lease.”
“Inverness Common Good Funding has transformed this once-tired city centre asset into an open bright, thriving, and exciting business opportunity. I would like to wish the tenants Bad Girl Bakery, Salt N Fire, Highland Food & Drink Trail, Moonshine, Good Girl Greengrocer, Sushi Inverness and Redshank Catering all the best with their ventures. I also look forward to welcome remaining tenants into the last few available units.”
The total budget for the refurbishment project of the Market Hall in September 2022 was £1,964,339 comprising £1,635,339 Inverness Common Good Funding; £250,000 Town Centre Funding; and £79,000 Placed Based Investment Programme funds.
An Action Plan created in 2017 has delivered a transformed Victorian Market as a centre for business which attracts a broad range of complementary businesses that are increasing footfall to the city centre. The Market is now being promoted as a year-round destination for tourist and local shoppers and is widely promoted on social media.
Improved access, opening hours and shop fronts have enhanced the physical appearance of the market and work is to be continued to achieve more improvements.
Supporting the refurbishment has been the work of the Victorian Market Management to create dedicated events, branding and promotions with a new website and social media channels developed.
To enable a review to be undertaken to establish future management and commercial development requirements, Councillors agreed to extend the current management arrangements for a further year.
A report on the review will be presented to a future meeting of the City of Inverness Area Committee.
The Victorian Market is managed by The Highland Council on behalf of the Inverness Common Good Fund. The exception to this is the portion of the market that lies between Queensgate and the Market Arcade which is privately owned and managed.