Wirral Council seeks signage consent as Birkenhead Market fit-out continues

Wirral Council has applied for advertisement consent for exterior signage at the former TJ Hughes building in Birkenhead, the next planning step in moving Birkenhead Market out of its existing hall and into the town centre store.

The council said construction and fit-out works are under way inside the building and that its officers are working with traders to prepare for the move. Full planning permission for works to the building was approved recently, it said.

The signage application can be viewed on the council's planning portal under reference 233377.

Cllr Paula Basnett, Leader of Wirral Council, said: "The relocation of Birkenhead Market is an important milestone in the council's wider plans to support the ongoing regeneration of the town centre."

She added that there was still work to do ahead of the move and that the council would keep traders, residents and visitors updated as plans develop.

Opening date

The council's November update said the relocation is expected to see the new market open early in 2027. Its September 2026 announcement had given a specific date of 25 February 2027; the later page neither repeats nor withdraws it.

In September the council said the later opening reflected the need for additional work in the building and a wish not to move traders too close to Christmas. Pre-construction works had identified previously undiscovered water damage, which the council said would be addressed.

Traders are staying in the current market hall over the Christmas period while work continues in the new building. The council said in September it was putting measures in place to support trade and footfall, including seasonal events and marketing.

The contractor

The council announced in June 2026 that it had approved the award of a Pre-Construction Services Agreement (PCSA) and enabling works to Krol Corlett Ltd. It put the cost of the PCSA preliminary works at £610,843, covering design, enabling works and the ordering of long-lead items.

A main contract for the refurbishment and fit-out was to follow once the design was completed, the council said. In July 2026 it said construction and fit-out was expected to begin within days, naming the contractor as Krol Corlett Construction, appointed after a formal procurement process.

Daniel Tebay, managing director of Krol Corlett, said: "This is a cornerstone project for the ongoing transformation of Birkenhead town centre."

Background

Wirral Council's Economy Regeneration and Housing Committee agreed in November 2025 to relocate the market traders to a new home in the town centre. The plan at that stage included options to move some traders into individual retail units in the Grange Precinct.

The council said the relocation would save on the cost of operating the current market building and fill available town centre units. It also said it would develop plans for a potential Market Square and public space on the existing market site, able to host outdoor markets and events, and that work would progress to obtain costings and timelines for demolishing the existing building.

In March 2026 the council applied for planning permission to demolish the existing Birkenhead Market building. It said demolition would take place only after all current traders had relocated, and that moving the market to the former TJ Hughes site would allow wider town centre improvement work to progress.

In April 2026 the council said the relocation was moving to its next phase, with the main contract subject to agreed costs and programme.

The council said further updates would be shared with traders and the public as work progresses towards the 2027 opening.