A street food market will be opening its doors in time for the summer season after a multimillion pound revamp.

Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool has been completely transformed to align with modern 'food hall’-style venues like ones in Manchester or Liverpool and will provide job opportunities for residents.

The Blackpool market will open to the public for the first time at 12pm on Saturday, May 27.

Visitors will be able to try food samples from six independent food vendors and enjoy live entertainment for the opening weekend.

The market will also open retail units with a range of products, from fresh produce to handmade crafts and gifts later in the year – which new operators Little Blackpool Leisure hope will reinvigorate the town centre as a shopping destination.

The contract to operate the market was awarded to Little Blackpool Leisure, a company run by James Lucas, Andy Shields and Jake Whittington.

The Little Blackpool Leisure team said: "We're so excited to finally open the doors to the new version of Abingdon Street Market and get to see this new phase in its long heritage begin.

“It has been a mainstay of the town centre for many decades now, so finally seeing locals and visiting tourists enjoy the space again will be really special."

"There's definitely going to be an air of celebration – we're looking forward to enjoying the entertainment and welcoming visitors to the market. To see it come to life and take on that bustling market feel – as it has done for so many years before – will be an honour."

Abingdon Street Market will be available for use as an events space, and the operators hope to use it for community events, live music and charity-led initiatives.

The building was opened in 1862 as Blackpool's police station – a detail preserved in the stone-carved 'Police Station' sign above the Abingdon Street entrance - before being converted to an indoor market in 1928.

Blackpool Council used £3.6m of funding from Getting Building Fund and £315,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to purchase the market and carry out a full internal refurbishment.

Cllr Mark Smith, Cabinet Member for Business, Enterprise and Job Creation, Blackpool Council, said: 

“We’re delighted that the official opening date of Abingdon Street Market has been announced.

“The funding of the market has been a pivotal part in allowing Blackpool to keep a fundamental and historic building, well-known to our locals and visitors alike. 

“The improved Abingdon Street Market will provide a wonderful opportunity for locals to enjoy all there is on to offer socially, as well as creating local jobs and benefits to the wider economy. 

“We can’t wait to see this space open and be thoroughly enjoyed by many.”

The venue opening on May 27, will be marked with a live DJ playing 12pm to 6pm, with local musicians Daisy Atkinson and Chris Wilde playing 7pm to 10pm.

Upon opening, the Abingdon Street Market food hall, whose entrance is located on Edward Street, will be open from 9am – 10pm Monday – Sunday.