B&E Boys appointed to Haslingden market project

Rossendale-based construction and development company B&E Boys has been appointed as the new main contractor for the £500,000 refurbishment of Haslingden Market.

The central area of the market has already been cleared to make way for a social hub which will include an open-air flexible area and a new sheltered seating zone where benches will be placed for visitors to eat from a variety of street food cabins.

The project was temporarily delayed when the council served notice on the previous contractor due to timescales for the completion of works not being met.

With the appointment of B&E Boys, work is due to resume at the end of July and will include levelling and resurfacing the floor to make it safe and accessible, renovating and reopening the public toilets, improving the trader communal area, and making the market space lighter, brighter and safer. Also, new gates and railings will be installed at each end of the market.

The open-air area will be used for music and theatre performances with temporary seating, mini festivals and one-off artisan markets.

Coun Adrian Lythgoe, a cabinet member on Rossendale Borough Council and chair of the Haslingden 2040 Board, said: "We would like to thank everyone, especially market traders, for their patience and understanding, during the delay and we are pleased that B&E Boys Ltd is committed to completing the project as soon as possible.

“Once reopened the market will offer local residents and visitors a fantastic social hub and bring extra life to the centre of town.” 

The work is scheduled to completed by mid-October. A calendar of events will celebrate the opening of the new market including a young people’s market. 

Rossendale Council is spending £200,000 on the refurbishment and the remaining £300,000 is from the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.