The distinctive entrance canopy from Wigan’s old Market Hall has been carefully taken apart, refurbished and reinstalled inside Fettlers, becoming a central feature of the new market hall taking shape on the former Galleries site.
Heritage repurposed within regeneration
The canopy, which for decades formed the public face of Wigan’s historic market, will now sit indoors rather than outside. Project partners say the structure has been sensitively restored and reworked — or “fettled” — to serve as a dramatic backdrop for the venue’s performance stage and events area.
The installation has been the product of a collaboration between a number of local organisations and contractors. Work to preserve and adapt the canopy forms part of a wider programme to revive the town centre and celebrate Wigan’s market and industrial traditions.
“This is a special moment for us and for Wigan… Rather than being lost, the structure has been given a new lease of life,” said Councillor Dane Anderton, the cabinet portfolio holder for economic development and regeneration.
The council’s description of the project stresses that the reused canopy will act as a visible link between Wigan’s market past and the town’s future, providing an atmospheric setting for live music, entertainment and other activities planned for Fettlers.
Partners and practical detail
- Wigan Council coordinated the civic side of the preservation effort.
- Wigan Building Preservation Trust advised on the conservation work.
- Cityheart and Galliford Try were named as delivery partners involved in restoration and construction.
Those involved said the move preserves an iconic element of the market while embedding it within a modern facility inspired by local industrial and craft traditions — even referencing the term “fettlers”, the skilled workers whose name now brands the venue.
| Element | Role |
|---|---|
| Canopy | Restored and reinstalled inside Fettlers |
| Wigan Council | Project oversight, regeneration lead |
| Wigan Building Preservation Trust | Conservation guidance |
| Cityheart & Galliford Try | Construction and delivery partners |
For residents, the canopy’s preservation is both a symbolic and tangible sign of the council’s approach to town-centre change: retain recognisable elements of Wigan’s past while repurposing them within new commercial and cultural spaces. The presence of the canopy inside Fettlers also signals an intent to make the venue a destination for markets, music and events — activities that could influence footfall and the evening economy in the surrounding area.
As work continues on the Galleries site, the canopy installation represents one visible milestone in the redevelopment. Those following Wigan’s regeneration will watch how the completed Fettlers venue balances heritage, performance space and the practical needs of a modern market.
