Remodelling and long-overdue building repairs were needed for this historic Grade 2-listed Market Hall. The project was funded by owners, Hyndburn Borough Council supported by the local regeneration partnership Elevate East Lancs.

Additional funding from LEGI – the Local Enterprise Growth Initiative – enabled the creation of Artists Studios and an Enterprise Haven for business start-ups which was handed over to the Local Enterprise Partnership. This complex project was the focus for Accrington’s town centre regeneration plan.

Originally constructed in 1860, the wrought iron and stone structure required urgent repairs to the roof and drains before remodelling of the sales floor and modernisation of stalls could commence. A demanding deadline meant works had to be designed, specified and let as three overlapping contracts – roofing, structural and drainage followed by converting unused balcony level space into the Enterprise Haven, then finally replacement of the stallage.

The Client was committed to delivering continuity of trade to the 50 stallholders which required complex negotiations to agree individual arrangements – a shopfit design and specification, agreements for lease, temporary decant and shopfitting installations. Upgrading fire safety precautions to modern standards was particularly challenging in such a historic building as English Heritage was understandably keen to avoid unsympathetic alterations but see the Victorian decorations restored.

The £2.2million cost included restoring architectural features. Since completion the project has received various awards including an RTPI prize for ‘Development in Action’ and NABMA’s ‘Best Indoor Market’ award.