Accrington Market Hall Relaunch

Accrington’s historic market hall has been re-launched at an opening ceremony following it’s £2million makeover by owners Hyndburn Borough Council.

The market hall originally opened in 1869 at a cost of £19,000 and was applauded as “a living treasure of art”. 150 years later it’s ornate Victorian interior has been restored in a 12-month, £2 million refurbishment. It’s restored glories were revealed on 26th June when it was formally handed back to Hyndburn Council by contractors PEC Building Services of Bradford. For the occasion the market was decked-out with bunting and banners and a swing band added to the party atmosphere as a commemorative plaque was unveiled. Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council announced:

“This really is a great day. I’ve always said the Market Hall has a Queen Anne front and Mary-Anne inside, so it’s absolutely wonderful that the interior at long last matches the impressive exterior. Today is the culmination of a lot of planning and sheer hard work to preserve a wonderful asset for the borough and a legacy for future generations.” 

The project has been sponsored by the Council’s regeneration team and led by Market consultants Quarterbridge Project Management. Costs were met through Hyndburn’s capital budget supported by a £500,000 grant from the Pennine Lancs.“No Limits” partnership which administers funding from the government’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative. The project is central to Hyndburn’s regeneration strategy of encouraging economic development by encouraging small and start-up businesses and provides an “Enterprise Haven” converted from unused balcony-level storerooms. Hyndburn Enterprise Trust has now moved into the Haven and provides low-cost serviced accommodation and meeting rooms for fledgling businesses, business support and “Hotdesk” PC’s for public use.

The Market Hall hosts 70 lock-up stalls plus a further 11 kiosks and 90 casual pitches in adjacent Open Market pavilions. It’s internal balcony has now been extended to provide a catering outlet and exhibition area with access to the haven and balcony-level kiosks by a new feature staircase and lift. All areas are now accessible to disabled persons with a “Changing Places” WC facility. Balcony- level kiosks are marketed for Arts and Crafts-type uses whilst the ground floor is general retail. A central seating and events area has been created for a regular programme of events and entertainment to be held within the building.Councillor Marlene Haworth, Cabinet member for Markets said:

“I’m really excited that work on the Market Hall is now complete and available for the people of Hyndburn to enjoy. We have blended our proud history with 21st century vision and the results are superb. We now have a modern market still offering traditional personal service thanks to our traders who have been really patient during the works. Together with the ‘No Limits’ programme we have transformed the balcony-level rooms into an Enterprise Haven to support existing traders and create vibrant new businesses.”

Architects for the job were the Davis Weatherill Partnership of Leeds under the direction of specialist market consultants Quarterbridge Project Management. Structural repairs were undertaken to the roof and windows whilst original features like the Haslingden flagstone floor was restored and sightlines across the sales floor opened-up by rebuilt stalls in a period style. Lighting was replaced with low- energy fittings to a period style and high speed internet installed for the Enterprise Haven and stallholders. The interior has been redecorated to an English Heritage-approved colour scheme.

Quarterbridge Director Jonathan Owen said:

“It’s been a very complex job but delivery has been on time and within budget. The programming of decants to maintain continuity of trade has been a big headache as were late decisions like refurbishing the flagstone floor – but the results are well worth it. Working on historic buildings is always a voyage of discovery but fortunately the structural repairs were fairly limited. The main challenge has been to maintain a speedy response to contractors queries to keep costs under control and deliver on time. Retail refurbishment is a demanding business.”

Councillor Peter Britcliffe, Leader of Hyndburn Borough Council and Councillor Marlene Haworth, Cabinet Member for Finance and Markets.