A SPECIAL workshop on the future of Darwen Market and the new public square to replace the three-day hall will be held later this year.

The discussion session has been revealed by borough regeneration boss Phil Riley.

In report to the Blackburn with Darwen Council Forum tomorrow night he said following the completion of demolition of the three-day-market building ‘the detailed design for the new space and works to the Railway Road units will be developed over the next three months’.

He said a contractor was in place for a start on site planned for early Spring ‘with a five to six month construction programme envisaged’.

Cllr Riley said members of Darwen Town Centre Partnership had taken part in a markets event held by Kingston University as part of London Design Week on Saturday September 23.

Cllr Riley said: “The group’s feedback on the day was very positive and all felt there were some very valuable learning to bring back to Darwen.

“A further workshop will be held in Darwen later in the Autumn to review the findings and this will be fed into the design of future development of the Markets and Square.”

Cllr Riley added the feedback from the London event will be captured on film and documented and be shared on the Heart of Darwen website at the end of October.

Another market workshop promised