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:

After over 25 years in the butchery trade, winning 200 food awards and teaching meat counter staff at Tescos across the country, Douglas Ewen is opening his first butchers stall in Blackburn.

Douglas, 43, has won countless awards including the Diamond award and Platinum award through the Q Guild – which represents the finest quality independent meat retailers in Britain.

His new stall in Blackburn’s new market, which he will be running with his partner, is his first in England after having worked near Aberdeen in Scotland for 25 years.

Douglas’ meats are prepared in a European style of butchery which provides different products and cuts to those used in British butchery.

He explains that: “In Belgium and Germany and other countries across Europe they aim for the meat to be cooked in less than 20 minutes because that’s the length of time it takes for the vegetables to cook on average.

“They try to make everything as easy as possible for the consumer. My products will tie in with that ethic.”

He will also be making his own sausages, a skill that he has won many awards for. Douglas’ stall will also provide gluten free products and can tailor his products to the needs of his customers.

Douglas said: “I’m really excited about the future and I’m looking forward to getting started.

“I’m going to be using local suppliers with an emphasis on using only British products. It’s important to support your British markets and local farmers.”

As well as providing high quality produce to Blackburn market customers, Douglas has spoken with the Job Centre and has hopes to take on apprentices in the future.

He added: “I have a lot of skills that that most other people don’t have. I want to be able to pass those on.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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.”

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.

Parking has been reduced in Blackburn in the rup up to Christmas.

But is it enough to bring you into town for your shopping?

Parking charges on Feilden Street multi storey car park are being reduced.