A market charter had to be granted for one to take place, playing a key role in defining a town. This always seem to be one of the first things mentioned in any municipal history. What place the market now and what future the market in Blackpool?
Mum always liked to shop at the market and that’s probably one of the sources of my affinity with them. She would scout round the back for leftover leaves for the guinea pigs; people would see her and say ‘poor woman’. Not quite that poor. The guinea pigs were grateful, and quite fat. As a child that market seemed huge; as an adult, tiny. Markets have had a bit of a hard time since then.
Turley spokesperson Daniel Ramsay said:
‘The market’s renovation will modernise the both the internal space as well as the external façade, whilst respecting its heritage as part of the Town Centre Conservation Area.
“The renovations will deliver a more contemporary, attractive marketplace with new features that will encourage shoppers and visitors to stop and socialise, stay for longer and spend more, also boosting footfall and retail trade in the surrounding area.’
Internal plans include:
- An extended food and beverage quarter with 250 seats
- Stalls for food produce, food and beverage, artisan stalls and flexible retail units
- Coffee stall and bar area
In the meantime, alternative accommodation for stall holders has been found at various locations (listed below), including the former Victoria Street Top Shop outlet.
Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration at Blackpool Council said “We continue to support all the traders ensuring their needs and concerns are met over the coming months. They have now been relocated into the Victoria Street (Top Shop) property and other council owned premises.”
- Cards for You – cards and gifts
- Cassandra Hosiery – nightwear, hats, gloves, scarves, handkerchiefs
- Pam’s Hair – hair accessories, dyes, fascinators
- Little Gem – fancy dress and accessories
- Cosmetic World – cosmetics, toiletries, scarves
- Duty Free – cosmetics, toiletries, scarves
- The Bag Stall – luggage, trolleys
- Mr Smart – gents fashion and accessories
- Glad Rags Gents – gents fashion, sizes small to 5XL
- Glad Rags Ladies – ladies fashion sizes 8 to 40
- Sam’s Handbags – day, evening, party handbags
- Tippy Toes – ladies, gents, children’s, work wear shoes and accessories
- The Book Shack – jigsaws, books, stationery
Stallholders who have relocated into other town centre council properties are:
- McRoberts Butchers – 6-8 Abingdon Street
- Trellis Café – 61 Victoria Street (former Café Fresh)
- Sea Breeze Café – 29 Victoria Street (former Starbucks)
- Joe Barlow Vape Shop – 37 Corporation Street
- Lost Ark Jewellery shop – Unit K1 Houndshill Shopping Centre
Internet shopping and increased home working following the pandemic means that town centres are going to change and that’s now out of anyone’s full control. Already retail is being proposed for residential use. With the need to decarbonise the economy and thereby reduce car dependency, the town centre as the focus of the public transport system could be an advantage, swinging the pendulum slightly back towards a town centre market that forms part of a vibrant community hub. If rents are controlled, markets offer opportunities for starter businesses, an outlet for local produce and artisan products made by local craftspeople.
If you have not been a regular market goer, perhaps you’ve assumed that it’s full of seconds and slip shod rubbish, get down to Abingdon Street market when it re opens and let it show you that you were wrong. In an emerging decarbonised world where small might once more be beautiful and local supply chains can become important again, the market can play a significant role.
