Work is set to begin on the massive £3.5million makeover at Plymouth City Market after planners gave designs the green light.
The huge refurbishment at the city's main market includes replacing part of the old roof, lights and windows - and putting in a lift to the first floor.
It also aims to restore the entrances at this historic Grade II listed building back to their original design.
Market traders and shoppers had put forward their views on proposed designs for the revamp which also aims to address maintenance and condition issues.
A planning application was submitted by Plymouth City Council in March and has now been formally approved.
Around 200 people work at the market, which is almost always at capacity and attracts more than a million visitors a year.
GALLERY: VIEW PICTURES OF THE CITY MARKET THROUGH THE YEARS
The planning permission and listed building consent will see refurbishment of the main shell roof and replacement of flat roof areas; refurbishment of external cladding; replacing existing roof lights; replacing external lighting; replacing market windows; remedial work to ceiling and internal areas; replacement of fascias, soffits and rainwater pipes; replacing the market flooring; improved accessibility including a lift to the first floor and remodelling of existing entrances to the original market design.
The project will also include major decoration inside and out at the market which currently has 144 main stalls.
Councillor Mark Lowry, Plymouth City Council's cabinet member for finance, said: "City Market plays an important role in attracting people to the West End.
"It is an amazing piece of post war architecture and we need to make more of it. Our market is one of the key places where people can buy local produce from traders who live in or around this city."
He urged Plymouth people to visit the market – still known by many as the Pannier Market – saying visitors would be "pleasantly surprised" by what it had to offer.
The whole project will be carried out in phases and in close consultation with the market manager and vendors to ensure there is as little disruption to trade as possible.He said it was also a place where "aspiring entrepreneurs can try out their ideas" and the council wanted to see people "with drive and energy succeed as a thriving small business base is vital to the city's economic growth."
Designed by local architects Walls and Pearn, the market was built between 1957 and 1959.
The council hopes to award the tender for the work in May, with works starting shortly afterwards.
Doug Fletcher, Chair of Plymouth's City Centre Company, said: "The market is one of the City Centre Company's priorities as it plays a vital role in attracting people to the West End.
"It acts as an incubator for businesses and many people who started with a stall here go on to run shops."
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