Revamp of Blackpool’s Abingdon Street Market approved
The project is due to commence immediately, with completion pencilled in for next spring, the council said.
Aimed at modernising Abingdon Street Market in the town centre, the scheme will see both the internal spaces and façade upgraded.
“The renovations will deliver a more contemporary, attractive marketplace, encouraging shoppers and visitors to stop and socialise, stay for longer and spend more, while boosting footfall and retail trade in the surrounding area,” said Daniel Ramsay, assistant planner at Turley.
The plans feature:
- An extended food and beverage quarter with 250 seats
- Stalls for food produce, food and beverage, artisan stalls and flexible retail units as well as a coffee stall and bar area.
Last summer, the authority was awarded £3.6m for the market project from the government’s £900m Getting Building Fund, aimed at unlocking schemes deemed fit to boost the UK economy post-Covid-19.
TP Bennett designed the scheme. Credit: Blackpool Council
The market closed its doors at the start of lockdown and has remained closed due to the requirement for urgent maintenance works.
Some market stallholders will be temporarily relocated to the former Topshop unit located at 18-22 Victoria Street while the refurbishment takes place.
Other traders have relocated into council properties around the town centre and some have made their own arrangements with private landlords, according to Blackpool Council.
Alan Cavill, director of communications and regeneration at Blackpool Council, said, “We continue to work closely on a one-to-one basis with all the traders throughout the process, to ensure their needs and concerns are met over the coming months.”
Working on behalf of Blackpool Council, the development team includes Eddisons, CBRE as the lead project manager and cost consultant, Turley, TP Bennett, mechanical and electrical engineers Steven Hunt & Associates, and Blackpool-based structural engineers Hermolle.
