Future plans for Clitheroe Market under microscope

An upgrade is envisaged for Clitheroe Market using £100,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a £76,000 capital allocation.

But the borough's policy and resource committee has been told there are mixed opinions on what should be done with the bullring at the market's heart.

Talks with traders earlier in the year appeared to indicate most would favour the removal of casual stalls there, resurfacing work and the installation of a new permanent block of stalls alongside new planting and electric points, the committee has heard.

Nicola Hopkins, borough economic development director, added in a report: "Some members may have received concerns from various existing market traders about the proposed works and in particular the removal of the casual stalls a number of which are used by existing cabin holders as an extension to their stalls."

Another option open to the committee is to remove the casual stalls, resurface the bullring area, while creating a central open space with new planting and electric points and erect a block of

new casual stalls.

The two options have been included for consideration by the committee when it meets tonight, before the wider scheme is sent out to tender.

The director added: "The works relate solely to the bullring area and the intention would be for the fixed cabins to continue trading while the works are undertaken.

"To resurface the bullring area, the existing casual stalls will need to be removed so the existing surface can be removed, and a suitable surface can be laid including drainage and electric points."

Councillors have been informed that a similar revamp scheme is currently being considered for the smaller Haslingden Market in Rossendale, which includes fixed cabins and metal stalls around a central covered seating area. If this idea found favour with councillors then further consideration could be given to the idea via a working group with traders.