REVEALED: 1 in 3 Blackburn market stalls empty

Now bosses have launched a drive to recruit new traders alongside a review of the market's layout and service charges.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s markets’ manager Clare Turner revealed that this month stall occupancy had dropped to 67 per cent, representing 78 per cent of retail space.

This is down from 73 per cent in January 2017 and 82 per cent in November 2014.

She said that following a busy festive season, with footfall in the week before Christmas up by 1.5 per cent to 119,000, the council was advertising for new traders with a glossy new prospectus.

Mrs Turner said: “Having a third of the stalls empty, with many near the main entrance, is not what we would want.

“However with traders reporting a strong Christmas we see this as an opportunity to attract new businesses.

“The aisle at the front had been used for incubator stalls and we are looking at rejigging the layout of the market and hosting more activities.

“The council is looking at incentives for new businesses, whether we can reduce the service charge and offer short-term leases to attract new traders."

Traders have backed the new initiative - but some customers have doubts.

Lorraine Johnson, of Le Rain Florist, based in the market, said: “I’m not concerned about the empty stalls. We had a really good Christmas but the council is right to try and attract new traders.”

Malcolm Marsden, of Whittaker’s Butchers, said: “We had a strong festive period. We are fully behind the new recruitment drive.”

Margaret Whalley from Feniscowles, Blackburn, said: “There are a lot of empty stalls, especially at the front. It needs new traders and more variety.”

Elaine Taylor added: “I think it’s dying. It’s more a food hall than a market. They need more and different stalls.”

Cllr John Slater, leader of the council Conservative group, said: “They are right to have a go but they need to cut the rents and service charge to give an incentive to traders.”