Hexham Shambles Restoration Project

Work on the £400,000 county council funded repair and refurbishment scheme to restore The Shambles is due to start in May 2025.

Built by Sir Walter Blackett in 1766, this historically important asset requires urgent work to the timber beams, timber and stone columns, roof and flooring and the electrics within the structure.

The restoration is also needed as columns and stonework have been repeatedly damaged by vehicles over the last few years as the existing parking spaces in the Market Place are shorter than the minimum length required to accommodate modern vehicles. 

Sympathetically designed bollards are to be placed around the north and west sides of The Shambles to further protect it from future damage by vehicle movements. Once the bollards are installed there will be insufficient space available to extend the bays and retain the current parking layout and this will need to be reconfigured to enable the vital safety measure to be introduced, whilst seeking to retain as many parking bays as possible.

The Shambles is currently used by market traders, and it is intended that the work will better support the market activities, whilst also protecting the fabric and setting of this important feature. The market traders have been consulted about the required repair works and they will trade from outside the Abbey for the duration of the works.

A Listed Building application has been approved which sets out plans to restore this important Grade II* historic feature, ensuring that any work is sympathetic to the original design and materials. Members of the public can view the application on the county council’s planning portal https://nland.cc/Shambles using reference number: 23/03901/LBC  

Key drawings showing the work plans along with the restructured parking arrangement can be found at The-Shambles-images-of-car-parking-and-elevations.pdf

To view the PR document click here

Contact: Growth@northumberland.gov.uk