Refurb of Blackburn market floor to cost more than £600k

8:00am Saturday 19th January 2013 in News

MORE than £600,000 is to spent refurbishing the ‘grubby’ floor on Blackburn’s £8 million new market hall less than two years after it opened.

The borough council has set aside £679,000 to do the work which has been welcomed by traders.

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration boss Dave Harling revealed the renovation plan to its executive board.

The work is expected to be done early this year and the cash is being borrowed by the borough while legal negotiations to recover money from the two firms which did the work.

Main contractors Browns and their flooring sub-contractor have both gone into administration since the market opened in June 2011 and council lawyers are continuing talks with the accountants who have taken charge of their activities over who should pay for the work.

Coun Harling said: “We hope to do the work early this year. The floor just looks grubby at the moment.”

Stewart Cunliffe, of Sanderson’s Bakers in the market, said: “This is good news. Its got to make things better. The floor looks dirty.”

Daniel Moffett, owner of Butler’s Family Restaurant, said: “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t think it will greatly increase footfall but it will make the market look better.”

Malcolm Marsden of Whitaker’s Butcher said: “It’s about time they did the floor. But when are they going to do it? I hope it’s on Sundays not during the week.”

Whitehall Liberal Democrat councillor Karimeh Foster asked Coun Harling at the executive board meeting in Darwen town hall: “Why is the council having to borrow £679,000 for work in Blackburn Market when it is only one year old?”

He replied: “The additional capital requirement includes provision for remedial works which may be needed at the new market, the main items being mechanical and electrical works and repairs to the flooring.

“The main contractor is Browns who are in administration and we have challenged the quality of the flooring with them.”

He said the sub-contractor for the flooring was also in administration which made recovering the costs of refurbishing it even more difficult.

Coun Harling said after the meeting: “Legal discussions with the administrators are continuing over who pays for this work.”

Comments (30)

8:04am Sat 19 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

QUOTE:
Stewart Cunliffe, of Sanderson’s Bakers in the market, said: “This is good news. Its got to make things better. The floor looks dirty.”

Daniel Moffett, owner of Butler’s Family Restaurant, said: “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t think it will greatly increase footfall but it will make the market look better.”

hope it reflects in your rents , well why not you think its good to spend £600,000 of council tax money.
QUOTE: Stewart Cunliffe, of Sanderson’s Bakers in the market, said: “This is good news. Its got to make things better. The floor looks dirty.” Daniel Moffett, owner of Butler’s Family Restaurant, said: “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t think it will greatly increase footfall but it will make the market look better.” hope it reflects in your rents , well why not you think its good to spend £600,000 of council tax money. 2 for 5p

8:25am Sat 19 Jan 13

Sick of rip off says...

I visited the market for the first time recently, what a sad, depressing and soul less place it is. I felt sorry for the market traders in there. It looked and felt like some deprived third world country.
I visited the market for the first time recently, what a sad, depressing and soul less place it is. I felt sorry for the market traders in there. It looked and felt like some deprived third world country. Sick of rip off

9:19am Sat 19 Jan 13

happycyclist says...

The few times I've been I've never noticed the floor. I would have thought a black bitumen-type covering would be the most sensible thing to put on the floor. No maintenance, lasts forever. It's a market, when all's said and done. Keep things simple, keep costs down.
The few times I've been I've never noticed the floor. I would have thought a black bitumen-type covering would be the most sensible thing to put on the floor. No maintenance, lasts forever. It's a market, when all's said and done. Keep things simple, keep costs down. happycyclist

9:34am Sat 19 Jan 13

paperboy70 says...

does anyone seriously look at the floor when shopping at the market, I don't! It's a great market with a good mix of stalls and I shop there every Saturday... shop local and support your independents :)
does anyone seriously look at the floor when shopping at the market, I don't! It's a great market with a good mix of stalls and I shop there every Saturday... shop local and support your independents :) paperboy70

9:41am Sat 19 Jan 13

bigste says...

It's a scandal that money will come from taxpayers yet again.
It's a scandal that money will come from taxpayers yet again. bigste

9:48am Sat 19 Jan 13

frank says...

Sick of rip off wrote:
I visited the market for the first time recently, what a sad, depressing and soul less place it is. I felt sorry for the market traders in there. It looked and felt like some deprived third world country.
my thoughts exactly, not too keen on the tin foil ceiling either.
[quote][p][bold]Sick of rip off[/bold] wrote: I visited the market for the first time recently, what a sad, depressing and soul less place it is. I felt sorry for the market traders in there. It looked and felt like some deprived third world country.[/p][/quote]my thoughts exactly, not too keen on the tin foil ceiling either. frank

9:50am Sat 19 Jan 13

slammer says...

There is nothing wrong with the floor tha t a broom and a mop and pail won't fix.
Tell you what, for 100.000£ a year I will come and scrub the floor with a toothbrush once a week..!
There is nothing wrong with the floor tha t a broom and a mop and pail won't fix. Tell you what, for 100.000£ a year I will come and scrub the floor with a toothbrush once a week..! slammer

11:10am Sat 19 Jan 13

Jerzei Balowski says...

Rather than asking the traders, who spend all day in there, what they think of the floor, why not ask the people who matter, ie. the customers, before spunking away £679k ? My guess is that none of them could care less. I've certainly never even noticed the floor.
Rather than asking the traders, who spend all day in there, what they think of the floor, why not ask the people who matter, ie. the customers, before spunking away £679k ? My guess is that none of them could care less. I've certainly never even noticed the floor. Jerzei Balowski

11:13am Sat 19 Jan 13

buckoff says...

Same old just like the Y front town hall. Size of the back hander more important than the quality of work. And Councillors think they should get more money. Clueless they should get a 30% pay cut to pay for this. Better still get rid of Jack Straw that would pay for it in three years!!
Same old just like the Y front town hall. Size of the back hander more important than the quality of work. And Councillors think they should get more money. Clueless they should get a 30% pay cut to pay for this. Better still get rid of Jack Straw that would pay for it in three years!! buckoff

11:48am Sat 19 Jan 13

A Darener says...

What is it with Blackburn Council and flooring. Didn't they make a mess of laying the cobbles on Church St. Having to get the contractors back to fix problems with them?
What is it with Blackburn Council and flooring. Didn't they make a mess of laying the cobbles on Church St. Having to get the contractors back to fix problems with them? A Darener

12:12pm Sat 19 Jan 13

juanbbien says...

I visited the Market last year as i now live in Spain and for a million pounds I couldn't tell you what the floor looked like,I just remember there didn't seem much trade going on,we called in at Butlers cafe and were treated to an excellent meal and service by the friendly staff.
I visited the Market last year as i now live in Spain and for a million pounds I couldn't tell you what the floor looked like,I just remember there didn't seem much trade going on,we called in at Butlers cafe and were treated to an excellent meal and service by the friendly staff. juanbbien

1:09pm Sat 19 Jan 13

burner says...

With you on that one, frank. Did the firm that did the ceiling go bust before that got finished/
With you on that one, frank. Did the firm that did the ceiling go bust before that got finished/ burner

2:54pm Sat 19 Jan 13

tenerc says...

while there at it why not put an extra lift in, that only goes from the market to the shopping center, sick of having to wait for the lift while people who don`t know how to use a lift get in a lift going DOWN when they want to go UP.

LOOK AT THE LIGHTS ON THE BUTTONS!!! if you want to go up, the lift going up will turn off the blue up button.

last time i went on the market we had to wait nearly 10min for a lift. to go up.
while there at it why not put an extra lift in, that only goes from the market to the shopping center, sick of having to wait for the lift while people who don`t know how to use a lift get in a lift going DOWN when they want to go UP. LOOK AT THE LIGHTS ON THE BUTTONS!!! if you want to go up, the lift going up will turn off the blue up button. last time i went on the market we had to wait nearly 10min for a lift. to go up. tenerc

3:16pm Sat 19 Jan 13

A Darener says...

tenerc wrote:
while there at it why not put an extra lift in, that only goes from the market to the shopping center, sick of having to wait for the lift while people who don`t know how to use a lift get in a lift going DOWN when they want to go UP.

LOOK AT THE LIGHTS ON THE BUTTONS!!! if you want to go up, the lift going up will turn off the blue up button.

last time i went on the market we had to wait nearly 10min for a lift. to go up.
Plus people who could use stairs block the lifts for those with wheelchairs and mothers with buggies.
[quote][p][bold]tenerc[/bold] wrote: while there at it why not put an extra lift in, that only goes from the market to the shopping center, sick of having to wait for the lift while people who don`t know how to use a lift get in a lift going DOWN when they want to go UP. LOOK AT THE LIGHTS ON THE BUTTONS!!! if you want to go up, the lift going up will turn off the blue up button. last time i went on the market we had to wait nearly 10min for a lift. to go up.[/p][/quote]Plus people who could use stairs block the lifts for those with wheelchairs and mothers with buggies. A Darener

3:33pm Sat 19 Jan 13

phil kernot says...

why are the council not using contractors with insurance backed guarantees in case thay go bust , tel you why because somone who approves them is on the take ,,, anyone says this don't happen is in cookoo land , , take this for instance a contractor bids for a big council contract , gets iit , next thing the guy that sits on the board is having extension , and his house refurb by the same contractor , , corruption is rife in blackburn big time ,,,,,
why are the council not using contractors with insurance backed guarantees in case thay go bust , tel you why because somone who approves them is on the take ,,, anyone says this don't happen is in cookoo land , , take this for instance a contractor bids for a big council contract , gets iit , next thing the guy that sits on the board is having extension , and his house refurb by the same contractor , , corruption is rife in blackburn big time ,,,,, phil kernot

4:54pm Sat 19 Jan 13

mrdd186 says...

how come it cost £679,000 to replace the floor what are they replacing it with gold.
how come it cost £679,000 to replace the floor what are they replacing it with gold. mrdd186

8:33pm Sat 19 Jan 13

M.DANNY says...

The market looks ok the floor needs improving.The food quarter needs to be removed so the market hall have more space.The food quarter need to go above the Mall roof with kfc,burger king ,pizza hut express,harry ramsden ,nandos,starbucks , mcdonalds like the one in Leeds i visited.
The market hall is a mess right now it needs to be improved.
The market looks ok the floor needs improving.The food quarter needs to be removed so the market hall have more space.The food quarter need to go above the Mall roof with kfc,burger king ,pizza hut express,harry ramsden ,nandos,starbucks , mcdonalds like the one in Leeds i visited. The market hall is a mess right now it needs to be improved. M.DANNY

10:31pm Sat 19 Jan 13

sean_brfc says...

M.DANNY wrote:
The market looks ok the floor needs improving.The food quarter needs to be removed so the market hall have more space.The food quarter need to go above the Mall roof with kfc,burger king ,pizza hut express,harry ramsden ,nandos,starbucks , mcdonalds like the one in Leeds i visited.
The market hall is a mess right now it needs to be improved.
Couldn't disagree more. The food hall is packed every time I go to the market. Why would we want a big room upstairs full of soulless food chains? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

As for the floor, it never looked great. But not sure that changing it is worth £600k.

Not sure how people can still be moaning about the market. It's always fairly busy and is a pleasant place to shop in an excellent location attached to the shopping centre. Moaning sods, the lot of them.
[quote][p][bold]M.DANNY[/bold] wrote: The market looks ok the floor needs improving.The food quarter needs to be removed so the market hall have more space.The food quarter need to go above the Mall roof with kfc,burger king ,pizza hut express,harry ramsden ,nandos,starbucks , mcdonalds like the one in Leeds i visited. The market hall is a mess right now it needs to be improved.[/p][/quote]Couldn't disagree more. The food hall is packed every time I go to the market. Why would we want a big room upstairs full of soulless food chains? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. As for the floor, it never looked great. But not sure that changing it is worth £600k. Not sure how people can still be moaning about the market. It's always fairly busy and is a pleasant place to shop in an excellent location attached to the shopping centre. Moaning sods, the lot of them. sean_brfc

2:17am Sun 20 Jan 13

Carl_24 says...

WHY WASTE £600,000 ON THAT PEACE OF **** MARKET?
AND OF ALL THINGS THE FLOOR!!!
THE ENTIRE MARKET NEEDS DOING BECAUSE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS IT'S LOOKED LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN FINISHED.
WHILE THEIR AT IT GET BETTER SECURITY.
WHY WASTE £600,000 ON THAT PEACE OF **** MARKET? AND OF ALL THINGS THE FLOOR!!! THE ENTIRE MARKET NEEDS DOING BECAUSE FOR NEARLY 2 YEARS IT'S LOOKED LIKE IT'S NEVER BEEN FINISHED. WHILE THEIR AT IT GET BETTER SECURITY. Carl_24

9:51am Sun 20 Jan 13

becca81 says...

I'm sure I remember that the market has under floor heating, which is probably why it is costing so much. I guess it must have to let the heat through in some way. The question I would ask is who designed such a shambles and who monitored the contractors when they were putting it down? In big contracts this happens all the time so IF the council has all its info in order they should have a winnable legal case.
I'm sure I remember that the market has under floor heating, which is probably why it is costing so much. I guess it must have to let the heat through in some way. The question I would ask is who designed such a shambles and who monitored the contractors when they were putting it down? In big contracts this happens all the time so IF the council has all its info in order they should have a winnable legal case. becca81

11:17am Sun 20 Jan 13

Grim ooop north says...

Never ceases to amaze me about the number of people who have no grounding in building/engineering works or contract law who freely spout off their ill informed ramblings - just poorly disguised tittle tattle.
Never ceases to amaze me about the number of people who have no grounding in building/engineering works or contract law who freely spout off their ill informed ramblings - just poorly disguised tittle tattle. Grim ooop north

11:51am Sun 20 Jan 13

ste.g says...

they have a cheek to call it a market
they have a cheek to call it a market ste.g

1:16pm Sun 20 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating. 2 for 5p

2:24pm Sun 20 Jan 13

mrdd186 says...

2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about. mrdd186

3:02pm Sun 20 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.
[quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.[/p][/quote]Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make. 2 for 5p

4:50pm Sun 20 Jan 13

mrdd186 says...

2 for 5p wrote:
mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.
just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****
[quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.[/p][/quote]Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.[/p][/quote]just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the **** mrdd186

6:03pm Sun 20 Jan 13

2 for 5p says...

mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.
just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****
You could then take off the space that stalls take up I bet that must be well over half.
You could possibly do it with gold as your earlier comment says.
[quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.[/p][/quote]Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.[/p][/quote]just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****[/p][/quote]You could then take off the space that stalls take up I bet that must be well over half. You could possibly do it with gold as your earlier comment says. 2 for 5p

8:12pm Sun 20 Jan 13

jack daniels says...

phil kernot wrote:
why are the council not using contractors with insurance backed guarantees in case thay go bust , tel you why because somone who approves them is on the take ,,, anyone says this don't happen is in cookoo land , , take this for instance a contractor bids for a big council contract , gets iit , next thing the guy that sits on the board is having extension , and his house refurb by the same contractor , , corruption is rife in blackburn big time ,,,,,
Can you prove this Phil because as it stands you've just accused members of the council of committing a criminal act....
[quote][p][bold]phil kernot[/bold] wrote: why are the council not using contractors with insurance backed guarantees in case thay go bust , tel you why because somone who approves them is on the take ,,, anyone says this don't happen is in cookoo land , , take this for instance a contractor bids for a big council contract , gets iit , next thing the guy that sits on the board is having extension , and his house refurb by the same contractor , , corruption is rife in blackburn big time ,,,,,[/p][/quote]Can you prove this Phil because as it stands you've just accused members of the council of committing a criminal act.... jack daniels

10:43am Mon 21 Jan 13

stillgame says...

mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.
just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****
"44 x 23m"
Laughing my old a55 off. The market isn't even built on Google Earth.

It's at least 3,000m2
[quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.[/p][/quote]Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.[/p][/quote]just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****[/p][/quote]"44 x 23m" Laughing my old a55 off. The market isn't even built on Google Earth. It's at least 3,000m2 stillgame

5:18pm Mon 21 Jan 13

mrdd186 says...

stillgame wrote:
mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
mrdd186 wrote:
2 for 5p wrote:
i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.
the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.
Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.
just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****
"44 x 23m"
Laughing my old a55 off. The market isn't even built on Google Earth.

It's at least 3,000m2
i know the market is not built yet but the building site is there look on google earth and measure the building site.the market floor cant be bigger than the buikding site can it.
[quote][p][bold]stillgame[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]mrdd186[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]2 for 5p[/bold] wrote: i think there is a case of fraud going on here, it needs investigating.[/p][/quote]the people doing the floor are charging about £400 per sq metre i think the brown envelopes are being passed about.[/p][/quote]Yes exactly I think the council should make it public knowledge the quotes that other company's submitted . Somebody is definatly on the make.[/p][/quote]just been on google earth and measured the market it is 44mx23m abouts so that is 1012 sq metres so it works out about £670 a sq metre some one is taking the ****[/p][/quote]"44 x 23m" Laughing my old a55 off. The market isn't even built on Google Earth. It's at least 3,000m2[/p][/quote]i know the market is not built yet but the building site is there look on google earth and measure the building site.the market floor cant be bigger than the buikding site can it. mrdd186

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