Whitby’s market traders are back where they belong, celebrating the reopening of the town’s Old Town Hall following a £1.3 million restoration that’s brought the Grade II* listed building back into public use.
The building formally reopened on 25 August, with long-serving traders joining councillors, local businesses and other stakeholders to mark the occasion after a major project to repair an 18th-century landmark that had been left at risk by age and weathering. Traders who’d spent the intervening months working from a temporary site at Dock End moved back to the Market Place on 27 August.
Among them is Gary Jamieson, a caricaturist who has worked in Whitby for 16 years. He said: “The restoration of the Old Town Hall has given Whitby’s historic marketplace a breathtaking new lease of life. As the resident caricaturist, I’m thrilled to be back sketching under these iconic arches and welcoming locals and visitors back to our creative hub.”
Ross Powdrell, a trader in the town since 2010, added: “After 20 months trading in our temporary location on New Quay Road, we are looking forward to returning to the Old Town. Whitby Market is unlike other markets. It is small, with only a handful of traders, but absolutely steeped in atmosphere and history. I’m very much looking forward to trading in such beautiful surroundings, especially now the renovations are complete.”
Major repairs
Work on the building began in early 2025 after its condition had deteriorated to the point of real concern, with even more structural problems uncovered once the renovation was under way. Left unaddressed, officials say the building would only have continued declining. The finished project has seen major repairs to the clock tower and roof, careful restoration of stonework and mortar across the façade and columns, and a full refurbishment of the first floor, which had sat empty since 2017 and has now been brought up to date as well.
Funding came via the Government’s Towns Fund alongside North Yorkshire Council’s own investment.
The council’s deputy leader, Councillor Mark Crane, whose brief covers economic development and regeneration, said: “This is a proud day for Whitby and it’s great to see one of the town’s most historic landmarks restored and brought back into full use. The Old Town Hall is situated in the heart of the town’s historic marketplace, and this investment has not only protected an important building for future generations but also created a high-quality venue that can support cultural and community activities, and help attract more people into the town centre.
“The scale of deterioration uncovered during the project showed just how important this investment was. Without intervention, its future would have become increasingly uncertain. It is therefore pleasing to see it restored to such a high standard and to hear such positive feedback from market traders, businesses and the wider community about the difference it will make to the town.”
Fantastic restoration
The ribbon was cut jointly by Whitby town councillor Linda Wild, who sat on the project’s steering group, and Councillor Phil Trumper, who represents the Whitby West division.
Mrs Wild said: “It was lovely to see the Town Hall officially come to fruition and be renovated. It has been standing there in the market square since 1778 and now it has been completed it will stand for a long time to come.”
Councillor Trumper added: “I was honoured to cut the ribbon with Councillor Wild after the fantastic restoration. Everyone involved should be so proud of what they have achieved.”
Councillor Neil Swannick, who represents Whitby Streonshalh on North Yorkshire Council, also welcomed the project’s completion, saying: “I’d like to thank the project team and everyone who has played a part in this restoration. This project was about ensuring that one of the town’s most important and historic buildings will still be standing for future generations – and it’s great to see the end result.”
The restoration was designed by architects and engineers at Align, North Yorkshire Council’s own property consultancy.
