Proposals for Market House role

WEXFORD County Council is inviting submissions from the public on the redevelopment of the Market House on Gorey’s Main Street.

It has publicly advertised for proposals that will help restore its prominence ‘as a focal point’ and to ‘further develop its relationship with the commercial life and public realm of the town.’

Wexford County Council communications officer David Minogue said that the Market House has had a prominent place in the history, heritage and culture of the town since the early 18th century, and the Council is now seeking to restore its prominence.

The council wants to hear proposals that will protect the building in accordance with its status under the Local Area Plan, and said it will facilitate investment that will allow the Market House, and the adjoining land in council ownership, to generate an economic, cultural and social benefit for the town. It will support proposals that are viable and sustainable, and that build on the Market House’s integral relationship with the public realm.

The submissions received will help set the mechanism to be used to secure a sustainable use. Interested parties should complete a survey on wexfordcoco.ie/markethousesurvey by Friday, July 7.

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin said that it is crucial that the public air their views. ‘Myths need to be dispelled,’ he said. ‘The council owns this building and they have not made any decision in relation to its future, other than to see this iconic, historic and centrally located building developed within certain parameters.’

‘This is long overdue,’ he added. ‘As it is a public building, the public must use this period to engage with the council and articulate what future they would like to see for this landmark building.’

Among the proposals in the past was a 1,000 seat theatre behind the building, which was suggested by developer Harry Crosbie.