11:00am Tuesday 16th March 2010
FIVE new shops being built in the front of Darwen Market Hall will help the town centre become more vibrant, according to a local councillor.
The soon-to-be opened shops are already being marketed by Capita Symonds, the company running the project for Blackburn with Darwen Council.
They are part of a council scheme to return the 139-year-old building to its original appearance and boost trade in the town centre.
Lib Dem councillor Simon Huggill said: “I think this work can have a good impact on the outer zone of shops in the town centre.
“They will attract more customers to the Market Square, and in turn there will be a trickle down effect on shops on the fringes of the centre.” The original design of the market hall included shop fronts which opened on to the Market Square, but these were closed off to make way for council offices on the east side and public toilets on the west side. The toilets have now been moved into the market annexe.
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