Work is starting on the £2.7m transformation of Scarborough Market Hall.

Contractors are starting preparatory work on the St Helen’s Square building ready for a complete revamp of the market.

The market will remain open with current stalls available throughout the work, which is expected to be completed by December.

The historic building will get a new mezzanine upper floor, creating space for new shops, offices and a café.

Councillor Bill Chatt, Scarborough Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Housing, said:This is a fantastic step forward for the Scarborough Market Hall redevelopment and it is wonderful to see contractors on site and beginning the process of creating a much-improved market for Scarborough.

In the meantime the market will remain open and traders look forward to welcoming customers old and new.”

First steps in the work will be the erecting of hoardings around an L-shaped section of the market, down the left hand side and bottom of the market, as you enter from St Helen’s Square. This will enable work to start on the transformation, including the construction of the mezzanine floor.

Market traders will occupy the remaining open space and continue trading as normal, whilst this part of the work is completed. The existing entrances from St Helen’s Square are unaffected.

Leeds-based Esh Construction Ltd is carrying out the work and is expected to include local workers on the contract.

Commenting on the project Andy Gawthorpe, regional managing director of Esh in Yorkshire said:We are working in partnership with the Council to ensure stakeholders are engaged with the redevelopment of the market. The work will create a new market that will serve as a community hub for the town.