The €3 million redevelopment of Dublin’s Victorian fruit and vegetable market as a continental-style food market is to go ahead following a year-long delay.

The final plans for the refurbishment of the 1892 market hall between Capel Street and the Four Courts in the north inner city, and its conversion into a joint retail and wholesale market, have been approved by local councillors and are due to be ratified by the full council next month.

The council drew up its plans for the new market last February and had hoped to have 80 pitches, a combination of indoor and outdoor permanent and temporary stalls, available to retailers and traders from this September.

However, the existing wholesalers, who serve surrounding restaurants and shops with fruit and vegetables, raised objections to their move to the western half of the building.

Their objections largely related to loading and parking facilities for wholesale trade and the lack of consultation over the new development.

Facilities included

The project ran into further difficulties following last year’s local elections, with new councillors insisting that sports and leisure facilities be included in the redevelopment plans.

These issues have been resolved, the council said, through the use of the neighbouring former fishmarket site. The fishmarket was demolished 10 years ago and the site is used as a public car park.

Under the revised plan, more space will be devoted to wholesale loading and parking at this site. A “multi-use games area” will also be incorporated into the site, with the remaining space used for retail customers’ parking.

The retail market will aim to attract a range of food producers, including butchers, bakers, cheesemongers, fishmongers and greengrocers serving goods to take home as well to eat at the market.