PLANS to transform Ledbury's iconic but underused Market House have been revealed. 

A list has been created by Ledbury Town Council suggesting how it could better use the upper part of the historic building on Ledbury High Street, with ideas including creating an art gallery or cultural centre. 

The Market House currently hosts infrequent events including brass band practice, community group meetings and Christmas market stalls. 

High among the suggestions is transforming the market house into an art gallery or exhibition space or hosting more community gatherings, workshops or cultural events. 

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It has also been suggested the Market House be used for pop-up shops or artisan or craft markets, allowing local businesses and makers to showcase and sell their products. 

Another mooted idea is to transform the Market House into a cultural centre, housing a small museum, historical exhibition, or interactive learning centre showcasing Ledbury's history and heritage. 

It has been suggested the council could showcase historical photographs and memorabilia on HMS Ledbury, or the town council's copy of the Doomsday Book and the Ledbury Charter.

And it has been suggested the tourist information centre, currently in the council offices but, according to officers, not in a large enough space, could be moved to the Market House. 

However, if the Market House was to be used as a tourist information centre, there would be a need for people to manage it which would mean a potential increase to the council’s precept for these staff.  

The council has also made suggestions for how to better use the outdoor seating underneath the Market House.  

These include hosting community events, such as farmers markets, art exhibitions, craft fairs, or cultural festivals, as well as pop-up shops, workshops and classes or adding greenery or planters. 

Council papers, seen by the Reporter, said: "As we are currently entering the budget preparation process for 2025/26 and we are also hoping to receive funding for a feasibility study into Tourism, Markets and Events.

"Members might want to include this in a budget consultation and ask if they would like the council to pursue any of these ideas or other ideas, and making it clear to the public that any project with the Market House will mean funding is needed and that this would, in turn, affect them."

The council will be asked to consider these ideas and what the next steps would be at a meeting on Thursday, October 17.