The long-awaited Markets redevelopment is nearing completion. Reporter Nick Mollet and photographer Peter Frankland were given an exclusive look inside to check on progress NATURAL light bathes the redeveloped inner street of the Town Markets as the scaffolding comes down and the historic building is readied for reopening.

It promises to be a cool, airy and fresh haven when it welcomes islanders in the coming months.

Hidden from the public eye for years, many of its original hidden gems and most important architectural features have been retained.

This might temper the criticism from some of the island’s conservationists and traditionalists when all is revealed.

The building project team has worked hard to allay fears that the Markets’ heritage would be destroyed by bulldozers.

But there are also some 21st-century touches. The previous unhygienic section that was the top end and fish market has been freshened with more than just plasterboard and a few licks of paint.

Much of the scaffolding has now been removed and the pieces of the jigsaw are falling into place.

‘We will complete everything we originally set out to complete by the end of August. We may have a presence on site afterwards to carry out additional conservation works, particularly in the fish market,’ said Hamish James, project manager for main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, which is also near to completing Arsenal’s new 60,000 all-seater football stadium in north London on time and on budget.

The Markets has been a long project, but ultimately satisfying. ‘We are happy with the progress and have now completed approximately 90% of the works.

‘The builders have found it challenging and we can promise islanders a fantastically conserved building,’ he said.

‘For myself and the team, it’s been a privilege and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.’

Life is slowly returning to the surrounding area and should be back to its vibrant best before long. All the original shop fronts in Fountain Street have been refurbished and conserved and the shell and core for new tenant Mackays are mostly complete.

The western pedestrianised section of Market Square has been handed over to the States during the past week and is the first area to be officially available for public use.

It follows raising of the levels and patient and skilful completion of granite sett work.

This and the terrace area is the likely location for live open-air events in future.

Greenery will not be far away, with one tree due to be planted at the top of Market Steps and two at the bottom.

Refurbishment work on HMV’s new spacious home, with its prominent beams, in the former flower market and above is almost finished. The terrace outside is being paved with granite from Portugal and materials salvaged from the Markets.

A ramp will take people from Commercial Arcade up to Market Square.

The States will take up the three levels of offices inside and there will be about nine main retail areas inside as well as five flats.

We appreciate the help and support we have received from adjacent retailers, shopkeepers, the general public and the Environment Department,’ said Mr James.

‘And we appreciate the effort the Guernsey subcontractors have put in to achieve everything so far and we are confident they will help complete the project on time.

‘Their standard of workmanship has been very high.’

The developer hopes that everyone will be pleasantly surprised when they see the finished product and that it will boost tourism and help revitalise the Old Quarter.

After nearly a decade of frustration and delays, the project is nearing completion and the finishing touches will be applied by the developer’s project team in the next month.

It will then be up to the new tenants to decide how their programmes fit into the scheme but it could be later this year or the first quarter of next before some decide to take up their new pitches and start trading.

The public may be unaware, but the first tenant has already moved in – and it is not the retail outlet, New Look, which opens on Saturday.

A pigeon is reluctant to leave his home in the historic inner street.

Much has changed and been achieved since the previous Guernsey Press update tour in March, although it is not known how long it will be before the project can be officially called finished and everything is up and running.