Covered Market Redevelopment: updated plans and 2027 start date
Oxford City Council has invited Covered Market traders to discuss the market redevelopment’s next steps, expected impact, and the proposed 2027 start of construction work, in a series of one-to-one and group meetings, starting this week.
The redevelopment – a major £8 million project – was approved in 2023 and further strengthened in February 2025. It will deliver essential upgrades to the 250‑year‑old building, while respecting the unique history, charm, and legacy. Works will include upgrading the ageing infrastructure, improving layouts and routes through the market, and making Market Street a more welcoming, pedestrian‑friendly approach. All of which will enhance the experience for businesses, locals and visitors for generations to come.
Next steps
Over the coming months, the Council will continue working closely with traders as the plans move into their next phase. It aims to appoint a contractor in early 2026, who will collaborate with businesses to phase the works, maintain safe access, and minimise any temporary internal diversions needed to keep customers moving safely around the building.
Detailed design and heritage assessments will continue throughout 2026, with construction expected to start in 2027, at the earliest. It is predicted to take about 18 months, with exact timings refined once on‑site investigations begin.
The Covered Market will remain open throughout the works, and no trader will be left without a space or made homeless as a result. Any trader affected by layout changes will be offered an alternative location within the market, and overall trading space will be maintained.
All traders have been invited to the full traders’ meeting in February, during which further details will be discussed with the businesses. Individual meetings with the most affected businesses start this week, to help the Council understand concerns and work with them on solutions well ahead of construction starting next year.
Updates to the original plan
Following detailed architectural work, several improvements have been added to the original redevelopment plans, including:
- an increase in female toilet provision, responding directly to longstanding feedback from traders and visitors
- relocation of the existing toilet block
- relocation of the sub‑station to the service yard
- creation of a new open court, improving the market’s internal layout and atmosphere
- additional retail space
- upgrades to utilities, including wiring and services in the historic structure.
- The Covered Market Redevelopment will help to safeguard the market’s future, strengthen it as a destination, and attract a wider audience.
More information is available on the project webpage.
Comment
“The Covered Market has been at the heart of the city for over 250 years, and we know how important it is to Oxford.
“Given the age and continued use of the building, infrastructure upgrades are needed, and given the love and passion for the market, we understand people’s concerns about redevelopment.
“The agreed £8 million plan has been worked up with input from traders, heritage bodies, and all relevant stakeholders over the last few years.
“We will continue to work closely with everyone affected, starting this week with individual trader meetings, so we can understand concerns and try to find solutions ahead of work starting in 2027.
“This is an exciting moment in the market’s history and our best chance to make sure it gets the upgrades and attention it needs to last another 250 years.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Planning and Culture
ENDS
Notes to Editor
Contact details
Email: [email protected] (Please note that any replies directly to this Press Release will go to an unmonitored inbox. Please contact email address provided)
Phone: 01865 252096
Images/extra media
Updated images available here: https://we.tl/t-qgRMxn4Dsn .
About us
Oxford City Council is the democratically elected local authority for Oxford.
In partnership with others, we provide a wide range of services – including planning, housing, community centres, parks and waste collection – for approximately 162,100 residents, 117,000 people who work in Oxford and the millions of people who visit our world-famous city every year.
We have set four key priorities, all of equal importance and all interconnected:
- to enable an inclusive economy, where everyone has access to sustainable business and employment opportunities
- to deliver more affordable housing, including a new generation of council homes to help meet our acute housing shortage
- to support thriving communities, reducing the stark inequality between our city’s richest and poorest residents
- to tackle the climate emergency by pursuing a zero-carbon Oxford
Our vision is to build a world-class city for everyone.
Oxfordshire has a two-tier system of local government, which means services are provided by two different councils. Oxford City Council provides local services for the city, while Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for strategic, countywide services such as roads, schools and social care.
