Hexham market place to temporarily close as £400,000 restoration work completed

Work on the project to restore the 18th-century structure began last year.

The usual market traders will be operating outside Hexham Abbey until July 6 while work to apply a protective coating to the new floor of the Shambles takes place. The coating will also need to dry thoroughly, and therefore could not have been carried out in wetter winter months when the rest of the “careful” restoration took place.

Mayor of Hexham and county councillor for Hexham West Derek Kennedy welcomed the news that the work was set to be completed. However, he raised concerns that parking next to the Shambles had yet to be sorted out.

There are plans to convert existing bays into parallel parking spots after a number of drivers hit the Grade II listed structure while attempting to park over the years. However, this has yet to happen.

Cllr Kennedy said: “Obviously I recognise this needs to be done and at an appropriate time when its dry, but this work was all supposed to be done in 2025. We’re now in the middle of 2026.

“What is more concerning is that they still haven’t completed the car park, which was also supposed to be done last year and is yet to be done. We have pushed the council to say when they’re going to rejig the car park.

“Vehicles repeatedly and consistently crash into the Shambles and cause an awful lot of damage. I don’t understand why the council hasn’t done what seems to be a simple job when they’re spending all that money.”

Responding, a spokeswoman for Northumberland County Council said: “We are nearly finished the restoration of the historic Shambles building with just a few essential jobs remaining which could not be undertaken during the winter months.

“Parallel parking spaces are to be introduced beside the Shambles adding to a row of bollards already protecting it. This will change the way drivers park reducing the risk of driving ‘head on’ towards the structure. The planned one-way system into the car park from Fore Street will also be made permanent, stopping vehicle movements in both directions.

“The Shambles building and adjacent Market Place car parking will be closed from Monday, July 20 to Friday, July 25 so that the work can be undertaken safely and quickly. During this period the market traders will operate outside Hexham Abbey on the Abbey Flags.

“Market traders and local businesses have provided valuable input as we have planned these final works, and we very much appreciate their support as we finish these improvements. “