Refurbishment plans for Abingdon Street Market
Posted on Wednesday 21st July 2021
Plans have been given the go ahead for the refurbishment of Abingdon Street Market that will give the market a new lease of life and secure its long term future at the heart of Blackpool’s town centre.
The approved Planning Application was submitted to Blackpool Council by Turley in May and the refurbishment will now commence immediately, with an anticipated reopening of the market in spring 2022.
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.”
The planning application is for the demolition of a single storey extension on Police Street, the external refurbishment of all façades, and the replacement of access doors and windows with new feature glazed frontages.
Internal plans include:
- An extended food and beverage quarter with 250 seats for consumption of food and beverages purchased in the market
- Stalls for food produce, food and beverage, artisan stalls and flexible retail units
- Coffee stall and bar area
The market closed its doors at the start of the lockdown period and has remained closed due to the urgency and severity of some of maintenance works that are required.
A lease has been signed for the former Topshop unit located at 18-22 Victoria Street. Preston-based commercial property consultants Robert Pinkus & Co. LLP acted on behalf of the landlord. Blackpool Council and Eddisons, the market’s estate team, have been talking individually with traders about their temporary relocation.
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. Due to a couple of setbacks that were out of our control, we have now relocated the stallholders that wished to move into the Victoria Street property and Council premises.”
Stallholders relocated to 18-22 Victoria Street are:
- 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 Council properties in the town centre 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
Others have made their own arrangements with private landlords for accommodation in the town.
Working on behalf of Blackpool Council, the development team includes Eddisons, CBRE as the lead project manager and cost consultant, Turley, TP Bennett Architects, mechanical and electrical engineers Steven Hunt & Associates, and Blackpool-based structural engineers Hermolle.
Posted on Wednesday 21st July 2021