Ormskirk Indoor Market is being brought back to life as new food and drink hub

Ormskirk Town Centre is set to welcome its very own food and drink market later this autumn.

The former indoor market on Moorgate, which was originally built back in 1903 as the home of Hesfords DIY & Gardening company, will be transformed as part of a six-figure sum investment to create a home for a new food hall, as well as six kitchens, an immersive games loft, bar area, private hire space, several retail outlets and live music space.

Spanning across two floors, the 10,000 sq. ft site will showcase vendors from the local area and is being brought to the town by Ormskirk residents and expert hospitality operators Simon and Fiona Beer.

Simon, whose EPIC brand has a proven track record of operating successful businesses in and around Liverpool city centre, said: “We’ve been dreaming about doing this for many years. We want to reimagine this historic space with a modern concept that can thrive while emulating the success of similar sites in other UK market towns.

Having been left abandoned for many years, we want to bring this space back to life and to what it was so well known for locally – a market building. We’ll be keeping its original features, such as the iconic clock face, as well as some of the signage that has been here since day one.”

While contributing to the local area’s economy, Ormskirk Food & Drink Market will also create up to 80 new jobs with the team currently on a recruitment drive for roles including the venue’s general manager.

Fiona added: “Many people from this area have to travel into Liverpool if they want food, drinks, and entertainment on this scale, but that will no longer be the case. Ormskirk Food & Drink Market will offer a taste of the city centre, and the restaurants and bars that it has within it, much closer to home. Venues like ours will open new avenues for people on our doorstep to explore.

Our brand ethos is Eat, Meet and Play, so whether it’s family time, fun with friends, date nights or days out accompanied by your dog, this is a space for everyone to enjoy, all under one historic roof.”

In a bid to give emerging local businesses opportunities to get involved, Ormskirk Food & Drink Market is currently on the lookout for traders to take up residency in the new space, from those who are more established restaurateurs to those up and coming in the food and drink industry.

Fiona said: “This is a real opportunity to showcase what the area has to offer, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to see just what we have been working on for so long and to enjoy what Ormskirk Food & Drink Market is all about.”