Swindon Tented Market Future Uncertain After Years of Inactivity

The old market in town shut down eight years ago. No one knows what will happen to it. People were hopeful last year about a buyer. Workers were seen inside the building in April. In September, it seemed like they were clearing things out.

Insulation, wood, and plastic filled the inside. Now, new photos show the debris is still there. No progress happened on fixing up the market.

Panther Securities owns the Tented Market. They said in May they talked to a local guy. He wanted to run the market and reopen it. But, the talks failed, so they still seek a buyer now.

Panther Securities’ director said they talk to interested parties. People want to use the Tented Market in various ways. Terms have not been agreed, so they have no operator. No work is planned right now. They would also like to speak to potential buyers.

The market closed in 2017. The work last April was the first since then. Panther Securities said that work prepped the space. They planned a short-term use, keeping things as they were.

The building has sat empty for almost ten years. It has graffiti all over it. It looks bad to shoppers in the town. Shop owners said the market hurts their stores. A worker at Great Western Cameras said it’s a mess. It makes the town centre look bad. People do not want to come this way. The open market drew people in before.