FOUR seasonal street fairs are set to arrive in Blackburn this year as part of plans to improve shoppers’ experience in the town centre.

The fairs will feature a range of traders from arts and crafts to street food.

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The idea has been devised the Blackburn Business Improvement District following the success of the Christmas Street Fair last year, which attracted thousands to the town.

King William Street will play host the events initially but in time, if they are successful enough, the aim is to expand them into Ainsworth Street, Cathedral Square and Town Hall Street.

Blackburn BID manager Harriet Roberts said: “We are keen to capitalise on our win in the Great British High Street Awards and we are using the £10,000 prize money to invest in event infrastructure which will allow us to animate the spaces in the town centre to drive footfall.

“The Christmas street fair was really popular and brought new people to the town. We are now looking for stall holders and street food sellers.”

The first fair will be held on Saturday, May 20, while the summer event will take place on Saturday, July 15.

This will be followed by an autumn fair on Saturday, September 30, and the Christmas event on Saturday, December 9.

It is hoped that over time the fairs will extend into the evening to get shoppers to stay in the town for a little longer.

Cllr Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “It is part of a campaign by the BID to encourage the shopping experience.

“We had an excellent event around Christmas and we hope that these will be of equal success.”