Castle Market in the city centre of Sheffield is currently in the process of being demolished, with the most complex part of the demolition set to start in the next few days. The old Sheffield shop sign that read ‘The Markets’ has recently been removed, and the building contractor Kier are now set to deconstruct the tower block from the top down. Castle market has now been replaced with the new Moor Market, which cost a huge £18 million to build, but the old market is still being knocked down and is due to be completed by November.

Castle Market in Sheffield city centre is being demolished, and the tower block is now being taken down from the top by the contractor Kier. The old shop sign reading ‘The Markets’ has already been removed, and Castle Market has been replaced by the Moor Market, which cost £18 million to build. We design, manufacture and install physical signs for companies in Sheffield and throughout the UK. For signage on your own premises, shop front signs are the place to start.

Castle Market Built on the Site of Sheffield Castle

Castle Market took its name from Sheffield Castle, as the market was built on its remains. The market closed in 2013 when the Moor Market opened on the Moor, at the other end of the city centre. The market opened in 1965, and was a well-loved place by many, meaning that a huge number of people were really disappointed when plans to demolish the site were announced.

Demolition to be Complete by November

A spokesman from Sheffield Council said: “Demolition works remain on programme to be completed in November 2015. Things are going well with no major issues so far and the site remains safe and secure.” The spokesman also added that the council have made sure that the accessible parts of the castle ruins are well protected and regularly monitored during the demolition works to ensure they are not damaged. “The progress of the physical demolition works on site is fairly obvious now given that you can see right through from one side to the other from both Waingate and Exchange Street.”

Footfall Down in The Moor Market

The new Moor Market hasn’t gone down quite as well as Sheffield City Council had hoped. Recent figures showed half a million fewer people visited it in its first year than in the last year Castle Market was open. The Council are reducing the market traders’ rent by half until March 2017 because of the poor trading conditions.

Markets live or die on the same thing as shops: people finding them and trusting them.

The Future of Sheffield Markets

The council, however, are more optimistic about the future of the Moor Market and are offering 4 weeks of free rent to new traders. There are also plenty of events scheduled at the market this summer including puppet shows, table tennis, reading sessions and mini golf.

As makers of shop signs Sheffield, it’s really sad to see this iconic sign being removed. It’s unfortunate that the Moor Market hasn’t really lived up to many people’s ideas of what the council promised, but as the area develops, we really hope footfall increases for the new site

About the Sign Makers Behind This Page

Richard and Dean founded Image Sign in 2007 and established the studio in Sheffield, South Yorkshire. They started in a small garage with just one van, and today operate a full in-house design and installation team. We manufacture signs in our Sheffield workshop, so we control quality and turnaround times. We install business signage throughout the UK using a dedicated team of installers.

Castle Market Sheffield: Common Questions

When did Castle Market in Sheffield close?

Castle Market closed in 2013, when the Moor Market opened on the Moor at the other end of the city centre.

When did Castle Market open, and where does the name come from?

The market opened in 1965 and took its name from Sheffield Castle, as it was built on the castle’s remains.

Why was Castle Market demolished?

Castle Market was replaced by the new Moor Market, which cost £18 million to build, and demolition was due to be completed in November 2015.

What was removed from Castle Market before demolition?

The old shop sign that read ‘The Markets’ was removed, and the contractor Kier are deconstructing the tower block from the top down.

Who makes shop signs in Sheffield?

We do: Image Sign designs, manufactures and installs physical signs for companies in Sheffield and throughout the UK, all in-house.

Castle Market Iconic Shop Sign Sheffield Removed to Make Way for Demolition