Manchester’s Gorton Market revamp brings food hall

Aisha Turner 2026-06-02 12:45 3 min read

People dining and socializing in a lively indoor market hall space.

Regeneration work has started at Gorton Market, with plans to add new food, beauty, seating and event spaces to one of east Manchester’s best-known high street hubs.

The scheme is part of the wider renewal of Gorton District Centre and follows recent work at Gorton Square, including improvements to the market roof and the installation of solar photovoltaic panels. Manchester City Council says existing tenants will remain in the market while works continue, with affected traders being moved into newly refurbished units.

New food and beauty spaces inside the market

The main change now under way is the creation of new clusters for food, health, beauty and wellbeing businesses.

Plans include 10 new food units, a dedicated bar area, a community event stage, a newsagent, four health, beauty and wellbeing units, and a shared seating area designed to support evening opening.

The market stalls are being reworked so the space can serve families during the day, then stay open later for local entertainment and community events. A glazed frontage is also planned to connect the indoor seating area with the outdoor market terrace.

The west frontage and entrance are set to become more visible, making the market easier to spot from the surrounding high street.

Traders stay open during the works

The council says disruption is being kept to a minimum so shoppers can continue using the market and traders can keep operating.

All existing tenants are expected to remain in place. Those directly affected by construction are being relocated into refurbished units while the project moves through its phases.

For residents, the immediate change is likely to be a market that remains open but shifts around while work continues. Longer term, the council expects the new layout to bring more visitors into Gorton Market and give small businesses more trading opportunities.

Manchester's Gorton Market revamp brings food hall

Part of wider Gorton District Centre regeneration

The project sits alongside broader high street and district centre investment in Gorton. Recent work at Gorton Square has already changed part of the public realm, while the market scheme is intended to make better use of the new terrace and strengthen the building’s role as a community meeting point.

The council says the work has been funded through the UK Government’s Local Growth Place Flexible fund. The next stage of regeneration in the area is expected to include the first phase of genuinely affordable and social housing.

Gorton Market has served the area for generations, supporting independent traders and providing affordable shopping options close to home. Its redevelopment also reflects a wider pattern of councils trying to keep town and district centres active by combining retail with food, events and services.

Readers following local regeneration may also be interested in how another council has framed high street investment plans around transport, business space and town centre growth.

Updates expected as phases are completed

Further updates are expected over the coming months as the redevelopment progresses and individual phases are finished.

Councillor Basat Sheikh, Manchester City Council’s executive member for neighbourhoods, said: “Gorton Market has been at the heart of this community for generations, and these improvements will secure its future for many more to come. This investment not only strengthens our local businesses but also creates new opportunities for residents and visitors to come together, shop, eat and socialise. Gorton deserves the very best, and this is a major step forward in the wider regeneration of our area.”

The council said images released for the project are computer-generated and indicative, with details such as materials, finishes and layouts still subject to change as the design develops.

Source: Manchester City Council

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report is based on Manchester City Council's published update about the start of regeneration works at Gorton Market.

Checks

Confirmed the named project location as Gorton Market in Manchester.
Checked the listed facilities against the council's published project details.
Separated confirmed works from indicative design details still subject to change.
Identified the named funding source as the Local Growth Place Flexible fund.

Manchester City Council Search independent coverage