Clevedon Pier & Heritage Trust has completed the purchase of Market Hall, bringing together two of Clevedon’s most important historic landmarks under the organisation that protects and preserves Clevedon Pier.
The purchase represents a rare opportunity to secure one of Clevedon’s most significant historic buildings for the benefit of the community. Together with Clevedon Pier, Market Hall will create new opportunities to celebrate the town’s history, support arts and culture, and bring people together through shared heritage.
The purchase of Market Hall has been funded through the sale of Waterloo House, a property the Trust had owned since 1997. Recognising the unique opportunity Market Hall presented, the Board chose to reinvest the proceeds in securing another of Clevedon’s landmark buildings, ensuring it continues to serve the community for generations to come.
While Market Hall is an exciting addition to the Trust’s work, it does not change the ongoing need to support Clevedon Pier. As a Grade I listed structure, the Pier costs around £160,000 every year to maintain and protect. Income from admissions, memberships, donations, fundraising and events remains essential to keeping the Pier open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Peter Stickland, Chair of Clevedon Pier & Heritage Trust, said: “This is a wonderful day for Clevedon. Opportunities like this do not come along very often. Bringing Market Hall and the Pier together allows us to protect two of Clevedon’s most important landmarks while creating new ways for people to discover the stories, achievements and heritage that make our town so special.
“Market Hall will complement the Pier by creating new opportunities for exhibitions, arts, culture, learning and community activities. Together, these two remarkable buildings will help us celebrate Clevedon’s past while creating a vibrant future for residents and visitors alike.”
For more than 160 years, Clevedon Pier has connected people with the sea and with each other. Together, the Pier and Market Hall, both designed by renowned Victorian architect Hans Price, will offer a unique combination of heritage, culture and community, creating places where people can explore Clevedon’s past, experience its present and help shape its future.
Development of Market Hall will take place in phases, with the Trust working closely with local groups, organisations and volunteers to shape its future. A separate group of dedicated volunteers is already supporting the project, and more detailed plans will be shared in due course.
The Trust extends its sincere thanks to Mr Petros Charalambous, the former owner of Market Hall, for his patience and professionalism throughout the conveyancing process. It is also grateful to the legal teams involved and to estate agent Mark Templer, whose expertise and dedication helped bring this complex transaction to a successful conclusion.
Clevedon Pier & Heritage Trust is a charitable community benefit society that relies on the support of visitors, members, volunteers, donors and the wider community to care for Clevedon Pier and celebrate Clevedon’s heritage. The acquisition of Market Hall strengthens that mission by protecting another important part of the town’s history while creating new opportunities for people to connect with the place they love.
