THE first moves have been made on the £4.5 million facelift of Bolton Market.

Contractors Willmott Dixon started work yesterday by depositing 12 containers under the canopy at the far end of the outdoor market.

Another 14 containers will be delivered during the week.

The 20ft by 8ft containers will temporarily home non-food stalls from the indoor market while the revamp of the market’s eastern hall takes place.

The traders will be moved in February and are expected to be moved back into the refurbished building in time for Christmas.

Improvements will include refurbishing the roof on the fish market, replacing the roof on the eastern hall, which houses the non-food section, and introducing additional indoor food stalls and a seating area in the eastern hall.

The roof over the western hall, which houses the fresh fruit and vegetable traders, will also be repaired.

Vehicles will be able to access the market from Moor Lane with extra parking spaces, including disabled and parent and child spots.

The outdoor market will move to New Street, nearer to the proposed transport interchange.

A spokesman for Willmott Dixon said: “The intention is to move the traders back into the market at the end of the year and it is predicted the revamp will finish by next April.”