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Newark Market Place – project updates

7 September 2026

We have provided a further update on the latest on Newark Market Place on our news page.

31 July 2026

In the last five years, Newark and Sherwood District Council has been committed to doing the very best for Newark and has successfully delivered and supported various projects to bring investment to the town. 

Key projects have included the Air and Space Institute, Newark Construction College, YMCA Community & Activity Village, the Newark Castle Gatehouse Project, Newark Buttermarket, 32 Stodman Street, and completion of the Newark Southern Link Road. There is still more to come as part of the Pride in Place (PiP) Programme, which has secured government commitment to additional investment of £19.5m over the next decade. 

In recent years, the District Council has also been developing a Masterplan for Newark Town Centre which outlines possible future changes and improvements for the town. The Masterplan was developed following a consultation process with a range of different people and groups, including with local businesses, local residents and community organisations. One of the areas considered as part of the Masterplan were improvements to Newark Market Place. 

The Masterplan included some ideas for Newark Market Place which were shaped by more than 1,500 responses to the consultation exercises. Some of the feedback from the consultation included wanting a Market Place that is: 

  • more accessible and flexible,
  • being capable of hosting events, markets, and al fresco dining and
  • able to meet a desire for seating and greening within the space.  

To help achieve this vision, the Newark Town Board has allocated funding from the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund, (previously known as the Towns Deal programme). Newark and Sherwood District Council were asked by Newark Town Council to deliver the project, and both councils continue to work in partnership to develop and consider options for the Market Place. 

As the project has progressed through detailed technical design stages, updated cost estimates and professional assessments have identified that the available funding is unlikely to be sufficient to deliver the scheme currently being considered as an option for the future of the Market Place.

The main challenges relate to the complex works proposed beneath the Market Place surface. Current assessments indicate that these underground works would be significant and, together with the associated replacement surfacing, utility diversions, adoption, fees and bonds, greening and seating elements, would exceed the available budget.

In addition, the historic nature of Newark Market Place means there could be significant archaeological uncertainties below ground. These could increase costs further and create delays. 

As a result, Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark Town Council have been reviewing alternative options and are developing revised proposals for consideration by Newark Towns Fund Board in September 2026. The revised proposals are likely to focus on a number of improvements that could support the Market Place and town centre, including:

  • improved power supplies for markets and events,
  • enhanced lighting to improve security, atmosphere, and event activity,
  • CCTV enhancements,
  • al fresco pavement improvements and
  • new market and pop-up stalls.

The road around the Market Place, including areas of existing ‘cobbles’, the trees and greening including the integrated seating will now not form part of the scheme. This road is within the ownership of Nottinghamshire County Council, who will be asked what else it can now do to make much needed improvements and repairs as the relevant highway authority. 

Any potential improvements remain subject to the agreement of final proposals by Newark and Sherwood District Council, Newark Town Council, and the Newark Town Board. The plans will now be worked up in detail before being shared with the public and local businesses. 

Alongside the Market Place project, Newark and Sherwood District Council continues to work with partners to support the vitality of Newark town centre through a range of initiatives. These include business support programmes, town centre regeneration projects, the redevelopment of key properties, and proposals to bring more upper-floor spaces back into use.

23 July 2026

During a meeting with Newark Town Council on Thursday 23 July, it was agreed that the focus should be on the central area of the Market Place, the part where the market stalls normally are. 

Works will include:

  • better lighting
  • power supplies for markets and events
  • some new market stalls

The road around the Market Place, including areas of existing ‘cobbles’, will not form part of the scheme. This road is within the ownership of Nottinghamshire County Council, who will be asked what else it can now do to make much needed improvements and repairs as the relevant highway authority.