PAGE 20 • FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2016
EXCITING PLANS FOR HEREFORD’S HISTORIC BUTTER MARKET
Darren Sockett left Haywood High School at 16 and started work as an apprentice plumber. Today,
30 years later he is the proud new owner of Hereford’s historic Butter Market and has plans to turn it
into an exciting new city centre shopping destination to rival the nearby Old Market shopping
development.
He bought the rundown High Town building
from Herefordshire Council this year and plans to
refurbish the traditional market stalls and add a
new mezzanine floor to provide space for starter
units. The existing low ceiling built in the 1970’s
will be removed exposing the original Victorian
glazed roof to create a modern, light and airy
atmosphere in the market.
Unveiling his vision for a 21st century style
Butter Market to Festive News, Darren said: “As
a lad who grew up in Hereford I am passionate
about this project and the opportunity it brings to
boost city centre trade. I am especially pleased
that the stallholders have given the scheme their
full backing and we will be working closely with
them.”
He added: “The city centre needs a boost and I
am confident that a revitalised Butter Market will
bring the extra footfall High Town needs. As a
property developer, I have faith in Hereford and
its potential to grow.”
Unlike the council’s original scheme, which
would have shut down the market for up to two
years, Darren’s team have come up with an
innovative plan which will allow the stallholders
to carry on trading while the refurbishment work
goes on around them. The first stage will start
next year and Darren aims to install the
mezzanine floor in 2018. The units on the
mezzanine floor will be tailored to give budding
entrepreneurs the chance to set up on their own in
an affordable way. The plans are subject to
planning approval.
Antony Hill, chairman of the Traders
Association, said: “We were very impressed with
the plans and believe the project will benefit both
the market and Hereford as a whole. It is long
overdue.”
The project is the latest in Darren’s 30 year
career from plumber to one of the region’s leading
entrepreneurs. Over the years he has created two
highly successful businesses, The Pipe
Corporation and Sockett Properties. At 20 he
bought his first property and at 23 he set up the
Pipe Corporation in a 500 sq. ft. unit at Beeches
Business Park specialising in pipe fitting and steel
fabrication work for some of the largest firms in
the region, including Cargill and Kingspan.
Today the firm is based in a 20,000 sq. ft. factory
on Burcott Road and employs 37 full time
workers.
The Butter Market is now added to a large
portfolio of business and residential properties
which includes the development of the recently
purchased three acre former site of Hereford
Galvanisers into 60,000 sq. ft. of new business
units.
Darren and his partner Natasha have 5 children
aged from 2 to 10 and live just outside the city
with a menagerie of animals ranging from
chickens and ducks to wallabies and deer.
Top right: new owner – Darren Sockett at the
entrance to the Butter Market
Bottom right: An image of the proposed new
mezzanine floor
HEREFORD BUTTER MARKET
Hereford Butter Market has been at the very heart of city centre
shopping for generations. Now, its future secured as part of Sockett
Properties Ltd the Butter Market will be greatly improved to serve
future generations. The independent traders, selling a wide range of
goods offer a friendly, quality service at competitive prices.
Sockett Properties and the traders look forward to your continued
support as the historic market embarks on a new and exciting era.
Include the Butter Market on your christmas shopping list, it offers so
much choice.
Hillmans Florist
Market Hall, Hereford
Flowers for all occasions
01432 276 098
www.hillmansflorist.co.uk
Mailes Bros, Market Hall
Hereford
Wishing all our customers a Happy Christmas
Proud sellers of Cheshire oak bacon and gammons
Premium pork joints
Sausage, cooked meats. Gala and pork pie
local award winning honey