The next stage of the Barnstaple "Market Quarter" improvements will start on Tuesday 26 March, as North Devon Council's contractors, Pearce Construction, plan to set up a site compound in an area of Queen Street car park.

The compound will be used by Pearce until late 2025, as they set about rebuilding and restoring 36-7 Boutport Street. The site compound will take over a number of parking spaces within Queen Street car park, and car park users are being encouraged to use the quieter neighbouring Bear Street car park. 

The council purchased 36 and 37 Boutport Street in 2021 to refurbish it for community and business use. 36 Boutport Street will become a cultural hub for North Devon, while 37 will be a new build incorporating housing and employment units around a central arcade walk-way from the Queen Street car park to the town centre.

Lead Member for Economic Development and Regeneration at North Devon Council, Councillor Malcolm Prowse says: "We are really delighted that the long-awaited improvements to this historic site in the heart of Barnstaple are soon to commence. The restoration of 36 Boutport Street, and the rebuild of number 37 will bring huge improvements to the town centre, not just in terms of physical appearance, but also regarding their use; the work will ultimately bring much-needed housing, including affordable housing, a new café, work spaces for the creative industries sector - as well as a number of workshop units - to the town. The new building will also incorporate a new arcade walk-way between the current Queen Street car park and the town centre, improving access to the town - so there's lots to look forward to! 

"Projects of this size, duration and nature will inevitably cause some inconvenience to users of the car park, surrounding occupiers and businesses. However, car parking is available at Bear Street car park, which will keep disruption to a minimum. Ultimately, we strongly believe that the creation of a much-improved car park to serve Bear Street, Boutport Street and the town centre, as well as the redevelopment of a historic derelict site in the heart of the town centre, will be well worth the temporary inconvenience."

Queen Street car park will close for works from Tuesday 7 May until September 2024, while Bear Street will remain available for use during that time. More information on these works will be provided by the council in due course. 

Further details about the Market Quarter projects is available on the barnstaple.co.uk website and on the North Devon Council website. 

The Market Quarter project is partially funded by UK Government and Levelling Up.