Changes promised to town’s £1m market hall after complaints

Original plans for the timber-framed market in Penistone, South Yorkshire, showed a building with weather-proof glazed sides. However, when the market was completed, as part of a wide-ranging regeneration scheme in the town being carried out by Barnsley-based Dransfield Properties, the sides were left open.

As a result, people complained that strong winds blow stalls over and scatter goods around the hall.

Penistone town councillor Anne Rusby said: “With Penistone being in the Pennines there are a lot of strong winds, yet they have built this hall without any side protection. It is not fit for purpose.”

Coun Steve Marsh added: “Unless this is sorted the traders will go elsewhere and this place will be left empty.”

Barnsley Council’s interim town centre services manager, Anne Untisz, confirmed that improvements are set to be made and said: “We are currently visiting suppliers to view weather-proofing solutions. These will be bespoke manufactured and therefore unlikely to be in place before late spring.

“While we are keen to resolve any issues, the solution should not detract from the overall look and feel of the building. It will, however, need to be robust enough to last the rigours of the weather and heavy usage during winter.”

Amanda Holmes from developer Dransfield Properties added: “The market is a public open space and being open at the sides creates more flexibility for public use.

“However, we do understand that sympathetic weather-proofing solutions are being looked into. The new market is a fantastic structure and once these issues have been overcome it will be one which the whole town can be proud of.”