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Halifax Borough Market, West Yorkshire
The redevelopment of the Grade II listed Halifax Borough Market, funded through the Government’s £4.5 million Future High Streets Fund, required a new entrance canopy to enhance the market’s presence on a key approach.
Client: Calderdale Council
Year: 2025
This project demanded an engineering solution that could connect historic architecture with modern fabrication methods, balancing visual sensitivity with structural and safety requirements.
The canopy design presented technical challenges due to its geometry and its interface with the existing building fabric. Whereas a standard entrance canopy usually involves two mating faces, this design required four, with rebates in the existing stonework adding complexity to the installation. The quarter-face form of the canopy had to be engineered with millimetre precision to ensure structural stability while preserving the integrity of the listed façade.
As the market is a working public space, minimising on-site disruption was critical. Ordinarily, a canopy installation of this type might require at least one week on-site, but our teams opted for an alternative approach.
The canopy was largely pre-assembled at our manufacturing facility in Staffordshire, allowing for controlled fabrication of the complex roof geometry. The design incorporated a longitudinal split, enabling it to be transported in sections and bolted together upon arrival. This approach sped up the installation programme and reduced the risks associated with working in a public environment.
The roof structure was manufactured from aluminium rather than steel, a decision made to reduce overall weight while maintaining heavy-duty performance. This choice eased handling and transport without compromising strength. The roof itself was constructed using a patent glazing system with stainless steel glazing spiders, ensuring both structural performance and a contemporary detail against the Victorian backdrop.
All glazing used within the project was HST laminate, specified for its high strength and superior safety characteristics, a critical requirement for a public structure of this nature. The four supporting legs of the canopy were manufactured from galvanised and powder-coated steel, providing long-term durability and resistance to corrosion in an exposed outdoor setting.
The signage element beneath the roof combined a steel framework with clear glass panels, overlaid with a deep blue vinyl and white lettering to spell out “Halifax Borough Market”, in keeping with the market’s historic colours. This detail was designed with illumination capability, allowing subtle backlighting that reflects Halifax’s heritage while improving night-time visibility.
The public realm beneath was enhanced with a series of our heavy-duty Gillingham bollards, designed and installed to provide protection and define the pedestrian area in front of the entrance.
The result is a structure that enhances the market’s visibility, safeguards public safety, and provides a contemporary intervention within a heritage setting, securing the role of Halifax Borough Market as a focal point in the town’s regeneration.
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