THE second phase of a £2.3m project to regenerate Pontypool Indoor Market in well under way.

Residents were invited to take a behind-the-scenes look at what has been going on.

The transformation work, which is backed by EU funding, will be managed in five phases and completed by July 2014.

During the refurbishment works, the public toilets will be closed. But shoppers can use facilities in the nearby Civic Centre and at the entrance to Pontypool Park.

The project has received funding from the European Regional Development Fund, Welsh Government’s Targeted Match Fund and Heads of the Valleys Programme and Torfaen County Borough Council. Public site tours will take place during the works.

These improvements are part of the Pontypool settlement area project.

This project has received money from the European regional development fund, Welsh Government’s targeted match fund and Heads of the Valleys programme and Torfaen County Borough Council.

Vice-chairman of the Pontypool Regeneration Partnership Cllr Lewis Jones explained the benefits of the project. He said: “The visuals of how the market will look like have been created by architects Austin Smith Lord, and really help to bring the project to life. All the stalls will be refurbished with a greater emphasis on quality food retail.

“Central to the market will be a seating and activity area where regular events and demonstrations will be held.”

Public site tours will continue to take place during the works and people can even take a virtual fly through of the completed market by visiting www.youtube.com/torfaencouncil.

You can keep up to date with all the changes happening at the market by visiting www.facebook.com/PontypoolIndoorMarket or by following @PPIndoorMarket on Twitter.