Contact the Telegraph
Send us your news tips, photos and videos Text LT and your message to 80360 or click here for more ways to contact us »
REGISTER NOW TO POST YOUR COMMENTS ON THESE STORIES
It's free and only takes a few seconds. Click here to go to the registration page.
Market trader told to remove paintings
4:31pm Friday 21st March 2008
A MARKET trader with a talent for painting has been ordered to remove his artwork from an empty stall - or pay the extra rent.
Francis Mulhearn, 76, of School Lane, Guide, Blackburn, has run a successful cosmetics stall on Blackburn Market for over 20 years.
He said he had placed the paintings on an empty stall next to his in a bid to brighten up the area.
But council bosses said Mr Mulhearn had ignored the rules and ordered him to take them down.
They said, had he talked to market bosses first, "there probably wouldn't have been a problem".
The market, which is due in two years to relocate to part of the new shopping centre being built in Church Street, currently features a number of derelict stalls.
Mr Mulhearn said he had displayed the paintings on the empty stall in a bid to generate some interest in the market.
He said managers were being unreasonable.
Mr Mulhearn, who paints and draws scenes from "olden times" in his spare time, said: "I think they could be a bit more lenient.
"Everybody should be able to display whatever they want on an empty stall.
"I wasn't selling them. I was doing it to please myself, brighten up the place and create some interest in the market.
"It seems silly they won't allow it because if you walk through and see all the empty stalls, it's terrible.
Mr Mulhearn, who only began painting again recently after a 40-year break, said market bosses needed to take "some perspective" on the matter.
He said: "All the art they're putting on roundabouts and in public places and they won't let us put it up.
"There needs to be more leniency."
His daughter, Tina, who also works on the market stall, said the paintings "created atmosphere" by attracting people.
She said: "Other market traders and customers both think it's a good idea."
But Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council leader Colin Rigby backed the market managers' decision.
He said: "Technically he's wrong to do it.
"Had he enquired about it first or talked to the market managers, there probably wouldn't have been a problem.
"He's been a trader for long enough to know the rules and he's ignored them. "
Your Say YourTelegraph
RK, says...
6:10pm Fri 21 Mar 08
andy, says...
9:07pm Fri 21 Mar 08
He said: "Technically he's wrong to do it.
"Had he enquired about it first or talked to the market managers, there probably wouldn't have been a problem.
"He's been a trader for long enough to know the rules and he's ignored them. "
quote]
Colin Rigby is a joke " dont do anything unless I say it's ok, who does he think he is.
I agree with RK, a benefit cheat is " Good Guy" another Councillor is uncontacable by phone, e-mail or even a home address, and again he is ok. Is that because Colin Rigby says so. Can I remind Councillor Rigby that he is only a Leader because the benefit cheat and the AWOL Councillor support him. Not because the people of Blackburn or Darwen voted for him or his party.This market trader is trying to brighten up the otherwise dull place.
Me, Far Away says...
3:31am Sat 22 Mar 08
Observer, Pendle says...
7:21am Sat 22 Mar 08
Now, if you go to top-rated retail malls (like the Trafford Centre) you will observe that vacant units are quickly camouflaged with artwork. The mall management group do this because empty units left unattended sends a negative signal to consumers.
What councillors are saying here is they would rather see the market in the town go down the pan but at least rules have been obeyed.
This, no doubt, from a council that claims to be innovative. It's enough to make one weep.
Somebody, somewhere is not thinking straight - and it's not Mr Mulhearn who should be appluaded and encouraged for his efforts to deal with a very serious marketing management problem in an imaginative way.
ononsg, says...
9:38am Sat 22 Mar 08
RK, says...
11:27am Sat 22 Mar 08
not fooled, blackburn says...
2:52pm Sat 22 Mar 08
Observer wrote:Perhaps if 'observer' visited the market they would observe that empty areas of the market are already being camouflaged with artwork.
The trouble with some local authorities is that they are, and not to put too fine a point on it, completely clueless. Now, if you go to top-rated retail malls (like the Trafford Centre) you will observe that vacant units are quickly camouflaged with artwork. The mall management group do this because empty units left unattended sends a negative signal to consumers. What councillors are saying here is they would rather see the market in the town go down the pan but at least rules have been obeyed. This, no doubt, from a council that claims to be innovative. It's enough to make one weep. Somebody, somewhere is not thinking straight - and it's not Mr Mulhearn who should be appluaded and encouraged for his efforts to deal with a very serious marketing management problem in an imaginative way.
If a house next to mine were empty, would i be within my rights to move my things in? I think not.
WHy should it be any different for this stall holder?
RK, says...
5:24pm Sat 22 Mar 08
steven ,blackburn, blackburn says...
5:35pm Sat 22 Mar 08
RK, says...
6:01pm Sat 22 Mar 08
sussed it, Blackburn says...
7:38pm Sat 22 Mar 08
RK wrote:Goodness me RK, you really are interested in this story arn't you? Any one would think you are related.
The market's a dump ansd has been for years. Go to Bolton to see what a real market should look like.
tony. t., Blackburn says...
7:38pm Sat 22 Mar 08
VOTE TODAY and show RIGBY what we all think.
kath, blackburn says...
11:02pm Sat 22 Mar 08
The Worker, says...
8:51am Sun 23 Mar 08
Since it is empty then it must be a free for all according to what has been written here and oh my why the fuss.
Get real rules are rules.......
Abide by them!
That is why this nation is in the state that it's in because we all want to do what we please.
RK, says...
11:53am Sun 23 Mar 08
BB Rredident, BB says...
8:54am Mon 24 Mar 08
nick wrote:Agreed! Took the words out of my mouth
let hope mr mulhaern decides to continue trading after this, or there will be another empty stall to add to all the rest, pathetic the council are at it again money grabbing gits, what harm is he doing better to fill up the empty stalls then leave them looking derelict like they are.
meddler, darwen says...
6:10pm Thu 27 Mar 08
Your sayYourTelegraph
Add your comment
Register for a FREE Lancashire Telegraph account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
In this section
- Darwen boy, 17, dies after suspected asthma attack
- Arson attack at Barrowford house 'may have been grudge'
- Blackburn town centre blow as housing development shelved
- Boy stabbed with syringe at Rawtenstall cemetery
- Consultation ends over East Lancashire bus lane
- Lancashire Scouts hurt in Canada crash
- Blackburn shopping centre lack of progress a disgrace
What's On Live Travel YourTelegraph
Hot Jobs
- Personal Assistant Burnley
- Student Services Assistant, Cover Supervisors, Pre Darwen
- Fathers Work Co-ordinator Blackburn
- PRACTICE NURSE, GP RECEPTIONISTS Blackburn
- Upholsterer North West
- Sales Executives North West
Local Advertisers
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Homes
- 3 bedroom House - terraced, Oswaldtwistle, £99,950, Duckworths Estate Agents
- 2 bedroom House - detached, Accrington, £159,950, Duckworths Estate Agents
- 2 bedroom House - terraced, Oswaldtwistle, £128,500, Duckworths Estate Agents
- 4 bedroom House - semi-detached, 14 Buckingham Drive, £319,950, Athertons Blackburn
- 1 bedroom Flat/apartment, Darwen, £52,500, Hampshire & Helmn
- 2 bedroom House - terraced, Rishton, £74,950, Duckworths Estate Agents
nick, lancs says...
6:04pm Fri 21 Mar 08