Buttermarket plans approved by Newark and Sherwood District Council
Plans seeking to transform part of a historic town centre building have been approved by a council.
The change of use application for the first floor and ‘old pub’ area of the Buttermarket building came before Newark and Sherwood District Council's planning committee.
The space will be used for education and meeting places for the principle use of the community.
Newark Town Council has been supportive of the application.
The Buttermarket is Grade I-listed and the building is owned and managed by the town and district councils.
Retail units on the first floor have already been removed as part of the redevelopment in order to create a multi-purpose space.
Access doors will be installed through the existing opening in the Buttermarket wall, which was previously in-filled with golden-coloured blocks.
The location of the access door will also make use of newly-proposed general access stairs, which was applied for at the same time.
The educational facility will be accessed via the existing lift in the corner of the Buttermarket.
The building was built in the early 19th Century and restored around 1990 along with the town hall.
Once recognised as one of Newark’s greatest Victorian improvements, the Buttermarket’s shopping arcade was originally known as the covered market.
Meanwhile, the town council is progressing an idea for the town hall to become a big museum. Anyone buying a ticket would be able to visit the hall, Newark Castle and the Civil War Centre.