Holyhead Market Hall, located in Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, is a Grade II listed building[1] built in 1855. It was commissioned by the local landowner and politician William Owen Stanley and built by J. Edwards Thomas.[2] As well as housing the town's market it has historically been used as a law court, a military barracks, a mechanics' library and a boxing/wrestling venue.[3] Located on the site of the old market cross and accessed from Stanley Street, the town's main throughfare, it was changed and improved in 1906.[4] It is a two-storey building measuring 1,732 square metres[5] and is built of local green shaley rubble with buff sandstone dressings and slate roofing. After 145 years of use the hall temporarily closed its doors, then became a furniture store and, fittingly, a grocery store. The building was listed in 1992, "for its importance to Holyhead and as a prominent mid C19 town centre building with a well preserved facade."[4]

After it stood empty for 15 years, becoming one of the most "dilapidated civic buildings in Wales,"[6] the Isle of Anglesey County Council gained control of the building via a compulsory purchase order.[7] The council then restored it with funding from the National Assembly for Wales and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.[8] Opening in September 2019, the building now houses the town's library as well as meeting rooms available to rent by local interest groups and businesses.[1] In 2020 the project won a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Social Impact Award, with judges from the Institution stating: "The revitalising of Holyhead Market Hall has not only conserved a landmark building in Holyhead, but has also provided a much need[ed] social facility with a diverse range of activities. The remodelling of the building in a way that also retains and presents the archaeology and historic features of the building is impressive."[9]

References

53°18′43″N 4°38′01″W / 53.3119°N 4.6337°W / 53.3119; -4.6337

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