Blackburn Market Hall

Blackburn Market presently trades from one of the largest purpose-built halls in the North of England and hosts many unique, independent businesses. The range of locally-sourced foodstuffs is impressive but the rising cost of structural repairs to the 1960’s building demanded a rethink of its future. Quarterbridge was appointed by Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council to help develop a Business Plan to streamline the management, design a replacement building and give traders the means to expand their businesses.

The Council took the bold step of leasing a 70,000 sq ft new-build structural shell within Blackburn Shopping Centre, to be fitted-out by the Council and promoted as an 'anchor' for the development. The new market design will be unashamedly modern and reflect the best retail design from the UK and abroad - a transparent glazed envelope with uncluttered open sightlines and displays. Design emphasis has been placed on heat recovery and thermal insulation to reduce costs in use and the equipment fit-out is now being procured by Quarterbridge in partnership with Architects Capita Symonds. The new market hall will trade 6-days per week and provide an IT infrastructure that enables traders to develop their businesses with EFT, on-line sales and web marketing. Opening is scheduled for April 2011.