Business steady for Blackburn Market as it celebrates its first year

1:00pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Lisa Woodhouse, Assistant picture editor

TRADE Stewart Sanderson of Sandersons bakery TRADE Stewart Sanderson of Sandersons bakery

BLACKBURN Market has seen footfall remain steady since its grand opening almost a year ago.

The market, which currently has around 90 stalls, opened on June 1 last year and has seen around 300,000 people attend the market every month.

During December, the market saw 347,200 people through the doors – with 107,000 visitors alone in the week before Christmas.

When it opened a total of 64 out of 127 stalls were trading.

Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “At a time when retail is really struggling across the country, we are holding our own.

“With the Mall extension and the council moving the market into the Mall it has given that whole area of the town centre a welcome boost.

“The market has a 70 per cent occupancy rate and we are aiming to achieve 90 per cent.

“We are getting enquiries but we are being selective to ensure the stalls aren’t selling all the same items.

“We are 100 per cent behind making it a success. There is room for more traders and more customers.

“We won ‘indoor market of the year’ in January and it means we are up there with the best.”

Traders in the hall reported steady trade.

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Lorraine Johnson, of Le RainFlorist, said: “We love it in here. There are lots of empty stalls but they could let more of the same stalls in. It’s a big market, and therefore a big market to fill.

"We have offered to spread out our stalls to make it look fuller, but the management won’t let us without paying.”

Stewart Cunliffe, of Sandersons bakers and confectioners, said: “The owners of Sandersons are very pleased with the market hall. This is their first stall venture. It is quite steady all the time.”

However, some traders say management could be better.

Mohamed Sabbin, of MSB Computers, said: “If you raise an issue no one deals with it right away. I pay my rates but I’m not getting the service.

“I could move to another market where I’d pay less, but I have worked hard to build my business. It is the manager’s responsibility to look after the traders.”

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall, said: “Since Blackburn Market opened, and The Mall announced the completion of the development last September, we have enjoyed a huge 12.5 per cent increase in footfall, which is wonderful news.”

Comments(14)

jack daniels says...
1:23pm Thu 3 May 12

local people, local food, local profits.

Keep up the good work

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tenerc says...
1:44pm Thu 3 May 12

"We have offered to spread out our stalls to make it look fuller, but the management won’t let us without paying.”

so how many stalls is the veg stall at the back of the market paying rent on, last time i went past they had stock on stalls opposite (in the fridge, and stall) and behind there stall was boxes of stuff, and a cage with stock in, must be making loads of money to afford all that rent.

also why don`t the market give some stalls those £1.50 bags to give to loyal customers instead of having to pay for them, i use my FREE bags from Accy market all the time.

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jocamo says...
5:47pm Thu 3 May 12

the market is a pleasant place to roam through its design makes you want to wander around each twist and turn until your curiosity is fulfilled and you have found what you are seeking

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bossindian says...
6:32pm Thu 3 May 12

8 stalls have closed since the market opened - sky high rents and rates

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Malthus says...
8:26pm Thu 3 May 12

70% occupancy. Does that mean that just over two out of three stalls are in use? Also "During December, the market saw 347,200 people through the doors – with 107,000 visitors alone in the week before Christmas." This does not mean all these people bought something. I use the market as a short cut and also for it's toilet facilities. So although I am one of these statistics I have never bought a single item from the market.

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SCBoy123 says...
9:49pm Thu 3 May 12

Wait until the council allow Tesco to build a massive supermarket next door!

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rollerdave says...
9:54pm Thu 3 May 12

Sorry but whilst it might look a pretty market, the market lacks atmosphere. If you want to visit a real market with real market traders, I always go to Preston. Yes its in need of a paint but its a great market.

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sean_brfc says...
11:15pm Thu 3 May 12

I think it has great atmosphere. It may not be traditional but they've done a good job. I pray they don't allow a characterless supermarket on the old market site, however. They need to improve the town, even if it doesn't bring in a lot of money in the short-term. An outdoor market square surrounded by attractive shops, restaurants etc. would be fantastic.

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Oakdale blue says...
10:25am Fri 4 May 12

For a true market atmosphere with plenty of choice and competition its Bury Market for me, always some superb offers on meat and fish at weekends which simply arn't available in Blackburn.
A lot of money was spent on the market and it was desperately needed but the council needs to actively get more stall holders (nothing wrong with competition) and more visitors to the town.

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Black Car Guy. says...
12:27pm Fri 4 May 12

I have never been in the new market. The local council are not in to helping local businesses so im not helping them either. They got firm from down south to kit out the market. I bet some local firms would have been great full of the work. I bet the councilors got a back hander.

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ste.g says...
9:33pm Fri 4 May 12

bury mkt for me.more choice,better atmosphere,and much much bigger.they should have left the old one alone

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Carl_24 says...
10:36pm Fri 4 May 12

I saw the sign in the window saying ‘indoor market of the year' earlier this week and I never laughed so hard for ages it was the best joke I've seen for a while it is the worst market in the whole country the stalls are half full, poor lay out of the cafe's seating area, escalators keep breaking down, sometimes stinks of sewerage and a security guard that likes to grope girls as young as 14 and despite of all the complaints to the management about the security guard they refuse to give him a warning or get rid of him.

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shocked and alarmed says...
11:50pm Fri 4 May 12

The market is great, stop moaning.

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harrythehamster says...
4:23pm Mon 7 May 12

I agree with carl_24.The escalators were out of action for months after only just being put in.The foodhall has lost 2 stalls already.The security guards wander roound the place like Blo*dy robocop on £5 an hour.It's a shambles.It needs a hand grenade throwing in it & starting again.It might cause at least £16.89p worth of damage.

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