Project: Butchers Market and General Market Refurbishment
Location: Wrexham Town Centre Conservation Area
Client: Wrexham County Borough Council
Project Manager: TC Consult
Main Contractor: SWG Construction
The Project
TC Consult was appointed by Wrexham County Borough Council as Project Manager for the comprehensive refurbishment of two significant grade II listed indoor historic markets: the Butchers Market and General Market, standing opposite each other at the heart of Wrexham Town Centre Conservation Area.
Working alongside Wrexham County Borough Council, main contractor SWG Construction and a range of funding partners, TC Consult provided dedicated project management services throughout the complex regeneration, delivered as part of the Wrexham Townscape Heritage Scheme and jointly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Fund and the Council’s own capital programme.
TC Consult’s involvement in Wrexham’s historic markets began years earlier, with a 2017 regeneration study of the town’s central Henblas area that first identified the potential of both buildings. The resulting Henblas Commercial Area Study set out a practical, action-based plan for reviving the markets’ fortunes and improving their offer, appearance and accessibility, and it was this vision that TC Consult was subsequently appointed to help deliver.
Delivering the detail
As part of the refurbishment, TC Consult oversaw the review of the RIBA Stages 2/3 concept design, developed from the Henblas Study, to ensure the remodel would meet both the current and future commercial needs of the buildings. This meant navigating stringent conservation requirements throughout, ensuring every intervention complied with heritage guidance, while coordinating multiple stakeholders, contractors and funding conditions within tight programme constraints. The team also managed unexpected archaeological discoveries along the way, including a historic stone staircase and original shopfronts, carefully integrating these features into the final design rather than treating them as obstacles. All of this was delivered safely within a live, pedestrian-heavy city centre environment, with minimal disruption to surrounding businesses and traders.
Outcome
Completed in 2024 under Senior Project Manager Luke Curtis, the Wrexham Markets project has restored two vital civic assets, blending historical architecture with modern utility and safeguarding the buildings listed status within the wider conservation area. The transformation supports Wrexham’s evolution as a vibrant, ambitious city centre, reconnecting its market town heritage with a forward-looking future.
