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New blog post – Local businessman calls on public to embrace new Blackburn Market

Leading Blackburn businessman, Phil Ainsworth, is calling on people to embrace the new Blackburn Market when it opens in May. Phil, of Ainsworth’s Jewelers on Darwen Street, was speaking in his latest town centre blog, found below. The local businessman - also a member of the Blackburn town centre partnership - spoke about the need to back local trade and called on people to back Blackburn as the town centre’s exciting plans continue to unfold. To watch Phil’s full blog post click below:

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Fruit and veg is back in Blackburn market.

Trader Scott Stuart, 41, has opened his new stall on Blackburn's six day market. He brings with him seven years of greengrocery experience after starting out as a mobile fruit and veg seller in 2004 before moving to Darwen Market in 2007. He said: “The opportunity to bring my business to Blackburn was too good to miss. The reception has been great so far. The customers seem to be delighted to have a fruit and veg stall back on the market and the majority have welcomed me with open arms.” Scott is now looking forward to moving to the new £8m Blackburn market, which is set to open on Saturday, May 28. He added: “The new site looks fantastic. The Council have done a top notch job. They’ve been very helpful and I’m delighted to be a part of the plans.” Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “I’m delighted to see a fruit and veg stall back in Blackburn Market. We want the market to provide what people really want. This makes the move even more exciting. I can’t wait to see everyone up and running in the new market hall in just three months.”

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New health centre for young people given green light

Blackburn’s new multi million pound health centre is to include a ‘one stop shop’ catering for a whole range of young people’s needs. The exciting plans will see the Young People’s Resource Centre developed as a separate area, with its own entrance, in the new health centre which is due to be opened in November. Plans for the resource centre, a first for the local area, were formulated in response to the need, highlighted nationally and locally, for a more rounded approach to young people’s health needs. In the new centre, young people will be able to gain access to a whole range of services under one roof covering: contraception and sexual health, mental health, substance misuse and emotional health and well-being as well as other non-health services. Options for other young people’s services to also be delivered from the building are currently being explored. A wide range of young people from the borough have played an active part in the design process of the new facilities. A ‘development group’ of young people have worked with an array of staff including architects, artists, drama teachers and service providers to work towards creating a young people-friendly, easily accessible centre. This has included, amongst other things, work with design studio Boex on the concept and design of ‘pods’ where young people visiting the centre can relax in a comfortable and calm space. Sir Bill Taylor, Chairman of NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus Board, said: “As a youth worker for 35 years, most of those spent here in the borough, I know only too well that young people have specific needs when accessing health services which are distinct from adults. This includes a ‘one stop approach’ which minimises the risk of them being stigmatised for accessing a particular service in a particular building. “To be able to get young people involved in the design process of the new facilities has been a vital part of this project. It is essential that they are at the heart of the development. The centre must make young people feel as comfortable as possible when they visit. Young people have hopes and fears, often not different to older folk, but they often need a different approach or setting to assist with resolving them.”

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Traders reassured over current market

Market traders in Blackburn have been reassured that they can continue trading in their current premises until the new market opens. Their rent reductions will also continue until the £8 million market hall is complete. The new market, which is being built on the ground floor of the Mall shopping centre, was due to open in March. However, one of the sub contractors working on the development went into administration. The contractors Browns Construction Group Ltd are now working round the clock on the fit out which is well underway. A meeting is due to be held next week when it is hoped a date for the opening will be finalised. Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, has written to all traders. He said: “Traders can stay on the existing market after March 4 if they want to and continue trading until the new market opens. “We are trying to help and support traders through the next few weeks as best we can and it is only right that rent reductions continue while they are still trading from the old market. We are reviewing the service charges but cannot promise any reductions due to the difficult financial situation we are in currently.”

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Major improvements for town centre bus passengers

Bus passengers are set to benefit from two major highway schemes aimed at improving access to Blackburn town centre. A new bus lane will open at the end of the month at the junction of Larkhill and Barbara Castle Way which will change access arrangements into Penny Street. It is part of the Council’s long term vision for the town centre and will pave the way for the future development of Ainsworth Street and the three and six day markets site. Penny Street will be closed to through general traffic in a southbound direction, with traffic into the town centre diverted along Barbara Castle Way to Salford and Ainsworth Street. Penny Street northbound remains unchanged. The second scheme, which is being advertised from January 27th, will allow buses to access Blackburn College and the new community health centre that is due to open in November for the first time. Cardwell Place, King Street and the first part of Barton Street are being reversed to traffic to allow buses to get to and from the north west quarter of town where they currently cannot access. The changes will also improve access to the new Feilden Street multi storey car park. It will also improve access from the Mall as shoppers leaving the car park will now have the option to exit via Darwen Street or down King Street straight onto the Orbital Route. Motorists will still be able to get onto Mall the car park from the south via Mincing Lane but will be directed along King Street, Barton Street and Cardwell Place or from the west via Montague Street, Feilden Street and Cardwell Place. Other highway improvements at Penny Street have also been introduced including three lanes on the southbound approach to Larkhill to reduce congestion and a new left hand turn extension on Barbara Castle Way at its junction with Larkhill to cut down on the number of cars queuing at the traffic lights. Access to the NCP car park and Thwaites on Penny Street remains from Barbara Castle Way but not Larkhill. Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “Buses currently cannot get from the Boulevard to the north west quarter of town. This area has undergone major regeneration with the College development and the new health centre and it is essential that residents and visitors can access them using public transport. Sir Bill Taylor, chair of Blackburn with Darwen Teaching Care Trust Plus, said: “We are building a new community health facility in the town centre in order to make it easier for patients to access a wide range of health services in a single, convenient location, so we are delighted that this new bus stop will make it even easier for patients to travel there.” “As well as improving access to the Mall’s car park and reducing congestion, it will also improve safety for pedestrians as the traffic lights are being removed on Mincing Lane, Cardwell Place and King Street and being replaced with zebra crossings. “The improvements at Larkhill are yet another piece in the jigsaw aimed at promoting public transport, making the town centre less congested with traffic and improving access to the Orbital Route.” Transdev’s Marketing Director Nigel Eggleton said, “We are sure the new measures will improve bus travel in Blackburn and reduce journey times. Now the new links to the College and the Health Centre have been agreed we can sit down and plan new travel opportunities for our passengers.”

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Family bakers signs up to new market

Oddies Bakery are the latest to sign up for the new £8 million Blackburn Market. In business since 1905, the family bakers have taken the lease on a brand new unit at the bottom of the escalator by Costa Coffee. More than 90 stalls have already been allocated in the new market which will be based in the ground floor of the Mall. Lara Oddie – Marketing Director of Oddies Bakery – fourth generation of the family to be involved with the business, said: “We are very excited about the new market development in Blackburn. I think it makes sense from a business point of view to move and the staff see it as a positive for them. “We will still be baking savoury products on the premises to feature alongside our extensive range of bread and flour confectionery. We believe passionately that the people of East Lancashire still appreciate the taste of fine quality baking which Oddies bakery deliver daily.” The fit out of the new million market is underway. All the internal walls have been completed and a significant number of the fridge counters for the food stalls are in place. All the large freezer storage units have also been installed. When completed, it will feature 61 food stalls, 50 non-food stalls, nine café/catering stalls and six mini shops. In the public areas, the majority of the floor finishes have been completed and the non food stall isles are all constructed. The contractors Browns Construction Group Ltd are now working round the clock after one of their sub contractors went into administration.

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Opening date for Blackburn’s new market

Blackburn’s new £8 million market is scheduled to open on Saturday, May 28th. The new modern market hall is based in the ground floor of the new £66 million Mall shopping centre. There will be 61 food stalls, 50 non-food stalls, nine café/catering stalls and six mini shops. The Council has invested heavily in the Market as part of its commitment to the regeneration of the town centre and two thirds of the pitches have already been allocated, both to existing and new traders. The new 21st century market hall will be fitted out with the latest display and sales methods. Funding of £1.5million has been allocated for equipment fit-out and tenants have chosen their own purpose-built stalls, counters and display walls. The café and catering stalls will be one of the attractions in the market, with a large shared seating area. Many existing traders are moving into the new premises and there has also been a great deal of interest from traders outside of the town. An official opening of the new market will be held on Saturday 28th May but traders will be able to start trading from Wednesday, May 25 if they wish. The traders will be able to start carrying out their stall fit out works from February. Access is as follows: Café … ………………..28th February Perimeter shops………..23rd March Non-food stalls ………....6th April Food stalls ……………...20th April The market was due to open in March but was delayed when one of the sub contractors went into administration. However, the main contractors Browns Construction Group Ltd are working round the clock to finish the £8 million fit out, which is well underway. Existing market traders in Blackburn have been reassured that they can continue trading in their current premises until the new market opens. Rent reductions in the existing premises will also continue. They have been given a 95% rent reduction for February and stall rents will reduce to just £5 from March. Councillor Dave Harling, Executive Member for Regeneration, said: “It was important that traders knew the opening date as soon as possible so that they can start to plan their move into the new modern market hall. It also gives them more time to ensure their new stalls are ready for the opening in May. We are trying to support the traders as best we can through the next few months with further rent reductions. “We are moving with the times and firmly believe that the new market will be a real asset to the town. In the meantime, the current market is still open for business and I would urge people to support traders during this period of change.”

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Local businessman Phil Ainsworth blogs on town centre

Leading Blackburn businessman Phil Ainsworth, of Ainsworth’s Jewellers on Darwen Street, has posted a new video blog. Phil, a member of the Blackburn town centre partnership, discusses his thoughts on how the new Mall development has impacted the town centre, plans for Christmas 2010, the New Year and beyond.

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Check out who is moving to the new Blackburn market?

More than 50 new and existing traders have already signed up for the new Blackburn market, opening in March 2011. More than 70 stalls have already been taken. But don't forget - the current market is open for business until March so please keep supporting your local traders. Check out which traders are already signed up and keep an eye out as there is more to come.....

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Diamonds ‘Art’ Forever

A former jeweller's shop is being given its sparkle back and transformed into a vibrant arts hub. Over the coming months Vall Halls on Town hall square will see a number of artists taking up residence in the disused shop. They will be holding free open arts workshops, creating new art works and displaying their current creations. The project, which is funded by the Arts Council and the government's Department of Community and Local Government, will see the shop renamed The LET shop, which stands for Liberating Empty Terrain. Executive member for Culture and Leisure, Councillor Damian Talbot, said: “The initiative is intended to make use of empty shops rather than having them as a wasted resource. “By using them as arts spaces it helps to keep the high street a vibrant and interesting place that people will want to visit as well as supporting the arts community.” The Doorstep Collective is the first project to have take up residence in the LET shop. It is currently open from Thursday to Saturday, 11am until 3pm. People who visit the shop can pick from a whole host of different activities including boxes bursting with craft materials to encourage them to get creative. From October 15 until November 8 Blackburn born artist Julia Swarbrick will be opening the LET shop as a gallery. The artist will be creating her own artworks based on the local area and inviting fellow artists to create their own art for display. She will also be running workshops in a number of skills including portraiture, abstract painting and creative textiles. During this time the shop will be open from Thursday to Saturday, 10am – 5pm and various times throughout the week. Other forthcoming activities will see the shop used for a Christmas art market and as the setting for an opera about homelessness. In the New Year, artist Jane Samuels who plans to stage a piece of public performance art that including a cast of weird and wonderful costumed characters. For more information regarding the project telephone Piotr Bienkowski on (01254) 688054 or visit www.creativityworks.info/let

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High-street giants Next and New Look open in The Mall Blackburn

Have you been in the new Next and New Look shops since they upsized their offering in The Mall Blackburn and relocated to larger units inside the £66m redevelopment? Let us know what you think in the comments section below. Next opened its doors today, Thursday August 19, with two floors filled with the hottest high-street fashions. Womenswear and homeware is located on the ground floor, with menswear and childrenswear departments situated on the first floor. Interest in vacancies within the redevelopment has been widespread with the 9,848 sq ft Next store receiving over 200 applications for 20 positions. New Look, which opened its doors August 12, received an incredible 700 job applications for 26 vacancies. The 11,800 sq ft ground-floor store offers womenswear, including an ‘Inspire’ range for sizes 18 to 28, a ‘915’ concessions range for nine to 15 year olds, menswear, footwear, lingerie and accessories. Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “We are very excited to see Next and New Look opening their new, larger stores. “We have a line up of impressive store openings over the coming months, with fashion retailer Peacock’s, a first for the town, opening in late autumn followed by a number of well know high-street names. “The scheme will be complete in spring of 2011, concluding with the unveiling of Blackburn’s new 68,000 sq ft continental market.”