Our heritage adaptation of the Grade II-listed Oxford Covered Market is featured in the latest issue of the RIBA Journal. The article, ‘Up Trading’, explores…
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Our heritage adaptation of the Grade II-listed Oxford Covered Market is featured in the latest issue of the RIBA Journal. The article, ‘Up Trading’, explores how historic shopping centres and markets can be upgraded without losing their soul.
The article highlights our extensive work in this sector as consultant lead for the Greater London Authority’s Tomorrow’s Markets 2.0 programme, which builds resilience in London’s street markets. We are currently delivering the £8 million regeneration of Oxford Covered Market for Oxford City Council. The project will secure the long-term future of one of the city’s most important public places. The 250-year-old market continues to play a vital role in the daily life, identity and economy of the city.
Lead Architect for the Oxford Covered Market project, Susie Hyden, is quoted in the article on the challenges and opportunities of working in this sector: “We love [markets], but it takes time, and talking to lots of people, to really understand a place and its problems, and to get under the bonnet of how you can fix these in a holistic and cost-effective way. That’s challenging.” She adds: “They are highly political — a lightning rod for everyone’s thoughts and desires. It takes commitment on the part of your client and yourself to keep it going and be adaptable.”
Extensive public and trader engagement has been undertaken, alongside consultation with stakeholders and heritage consultees. Our work the original masterplan established the brief and key ambitions for the project, ensuring that the proposals were grounded in what traders, residents and visitors wanted and needed from the market.