What Do You Think of the Plans to Transform Darwen Market?

Introduction

Plans have been revealed for the biggest transformation of Darwen Market in a generation — turning the historic Market Hall into a modern food hall destination, complete with artisan stalls, upgraded facilities, and opening hours running through to 10pm every night.

Read all about it

The proposals, backed by the Darwen Town Deal and part of a wider £100m investment in the town centre, aim to preserve the much-loved Victorian building while creating a bold new space for residents, traders and visitors.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of the Council and Chair of the Darwen Town Deal Board, said:
“The approval of these plans would be an important next step in the delivery of our vision for the future of Darwen town centre.”

“Supported by the Town Deal, we have millions of pounds of new investment planned here, including the proposals for the Darwen Market Hall and improvements to Darwen Library and Darwen Library Theatre too – with planning permission also recently granted for those schemes.”


A New Future for Darwen Market

At the heart of the plans is a vision to create a vibrant food and drink destination for Darwen, supporting trade through the day and into the evening.

This includes:

  • A major refurbishment of the Market Hall’s roof, electrics and heating
  • A brand-new arcade replacing the outdated 1970s annex, improving pedestrian links to School Street
  • A reimagined market layout, blending a quality food hall with traditional market stalls and artisan makers
  • Opening hours extending to 10pm every night, creating a space for evening dining, socialising and events

Although the overall tradable floor space will reduce slightly, the council says the focus is on delivering a high-quality, modern market designed to attract both daytime shoppers and evening visitors.


What’s Happening to Traders and Parking?

During the works, the council says market stalls will be temporarily relocated within the town centre — with full details expected later in the year. For now, the Market Hall remains open as usual, with summer and autumn events planned.

The proposals also include a new multi-storey car park, featuring improved lift access and solar panels.
However, the number of spaces will reduce from 149 to 91 spaces, raising questions about how parking demand will be managed during busy periods.

Councillor Riley said:
“We want Darwen town centre be a place popular with residents and visitors – supporting the town’s fantastic range of independent traders and retailers, while providing opportunities for the future and new businesses wanting to invest here too.”


Part of a £100m Vision for Darwen

The Market Hall revamp is part of a broader regeneration effort including:

  • The Darwen Youth Centre expansion, which is doubling in size
  • Improvements to Darwen Library and Library Theatre
  • New Destination Darwen walking and cycling trails, connecting the town centre to the moors and Jubilee Tower

The wider plan includes improving accessibility and safety around the town centre, enhancing landscaping and lighting, and creating new public spaces to help revitalise Darwen’s retail and leisure offer.


Balancing Heritage and Modernisation

The council says it is committed to preserving the Market Hall’s heritage as part of the Darwen Town Centre Conservation Area. But some changes, like the demolition of the 1970s annex and the new glazed arcade, will significantly change how the Market Hall looks from School Street and Market Square.


Key Changes at a Glance

  • Market Hall Revamp: Full refurbishment of the Victorian Market Hall to create a modern food hall destination, open until 10pm daily.
  • New Arcade: Replaces the 1970s annex, improving routes from Market Square to School Street.
  • Mix of Uses: Quality food and drink outlets, artisan stalls and traditional market traders – aiming to attract daytime shoppers and evening visitors.
  • Temporary Relocation: Market stalls will be temporarily relocated during the works, with details to be announced.
  • Reduced Parking Spaces: A new multi-storey car park will replace the existing one, but the total spaces will drop from 149 to 91, with improved accessibility and EV charging.
  • Heritage Protected: Key features of the Victorian Market Hall retained, but some changes to the building’s appearance and layout.
  • Town Centre Improvements: New lighting, planting, seating and cycle facilities, plus better links to the countryside through the Destination Darwen trails.
  • Part of £100m Investment: The Market Hall revamp forms part of the wider Darwen Town Deal, the biggest regeneration project in Darwen’s recent history.


Have Your Say

Do you welcome these plans to turn Darwen Market into a modern food hall destination open until 10pm?
Are you concerned about the reduced parking spaces, or the impact on the market’s heritage and traders?

Let us know what you think in the comments.

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