Council green-lights Rawtenstall market refurbishment

By Tim Aldred

25 Mar 2024

Rawtenstall Market Drawings

Rossendale Borough Council has given the go-ahead for the multi-million-pound transformation of Rawtenstall Market into a 'vibrant social hub'.

The project will now be put to the planning committee for approval in the next few months.

Following several public consultations the Stage 2 Report to Cabinet underlined that the market will remain a cornerstone of the town’s ‘cultural and economic fabric bringing together a diverse array of local vendors, artisans, producers and retailers’.

It is hoped the work – which aims to make the market sustainable and energy efficient – will begin in January next year. Rawtenstall is the third market the council is refurbishing over the next two years. Work on Haslingden Market is expected to start in early summer and Bacup next year.

The intention is to transform the historic building – first opened in 1906 – into a well-designed and forward-thinking visitor destination using the main market building as an indoor food hall serving hot and cold foods with eight new hot food outlets while the outside cabins will focus on retail and artisan goods.

Plans also show flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for day-to-day trading, community events and seasonal occasions. A bar serving alcoholic drinks will be sited to one side of the outside hub.

A council spokesperson said: “The project is all about bringing the market and surrounding area up to modern-day standards and the market traders have been involved in the evolution of the design.

“The purpose is to address existing challenges such as inadequate facilities, poor thermal performance, persistent leakage issues, poor ventilation, inconsistent stall sizes and unclear circulation routes which hinder the user experience.”

The market’s street presence is to be improved especially from the direction of Bank Street as well as improved visibility of the Market Hall.

Architects working on the project Gareth Hayhoe, a director of DAY Architectural, of Manchester, and his colleague Ryan Lawlor both live in Rossendale.

Gareth said: “I have been visiting Rawtenstall Market since I was a child so I obviously have a vested interest in the project not only professionally but as a regular user. So, I want to make the market a success not only for now but for generations in the future.

“The market is already a thriving hub and it isn’t our intention to make radical changes to it. But we do want to make it a jewel in the crown at the end of the main shopping street.

“As an East Lancashire town Rawtenstall is unique for shopping in that it is still very much a town of local traders like the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker. And that is what makes it so special and why people from out of town come to visit us.”

The project is to be funded by Capital Regeneration Project supported by Levelling Up which Rossendale Borough Council successfully secured in Spring last year.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

University recognises adidas curator Gary Aspden

University recognises adidas curator

11 Jul 2025

2

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit Coolkit Vans

Investment drives growth plan at CoolKit

11 Jul 2025

3

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton Story Homes plans

Story Homes submits plans for 140 new homes in Longton

11 Jul 2025

4

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey Happy students at ULAN

University of Lancashire climbs 14 places in student positivity survey

10 Jul 2025

5

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15 Forbes Solicitors promotions

Forbes Solicitors achieves strong growth and promotes 15

10 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley College University Courses Building, Burnley, BB12 0AN

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Lancashire Business Day 2025
241122lbvlancashiredaylhp0647web
Networking
27 Nov 2025

Lancashire Business Day 2025

Burnley FC , Burnley, BB10 4BX

12:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin