Abingdon Street Market celebrates first anniversary

Abingdon Street Market’s retail area has already reached one year of trading.

Popular with locals and visitors of all ages, the retail side of the market - with ten independent vendors, along with the dedicated food hall, has made a significant impact on the town centre. 

Blackpool Council used £3.6m of funding from Getting Building Fund to purchase the historic market building, carrying out a full internal refurbishment prior to its opening in May 2023. 

The opening of the food hall and retail area at the new-look Abingdon Street Market was an element of a much wider plan to regenerate Blackpool town centre, with aims to boost the economy, create jobs and provide more things to see and do.  

The team behind the operations of the market, The Little Blackpool Leisure Company, have worked hard to produce a successful venue with a wide-ranging offer. The current retail vendors include: 

§  The Crypt:  horror themed shop, offering clothing, make up, jewellery and shoes (new for 2024) 

§  Funky Global: ethically sourced home decor, tables, mirrors, mosaics, pottery 

§  General Store: cheese, fresh fruit and veg, craft beers, soaps, candles, ambient items, greetings cards 

§  Happi Place: fun, alternative pop culture and nostalgic themed paper goods, jewellery, pins, cards and prints from UK based makers (new for 2024) 

§  Her Brand: offering eyebrows and lash treatments as well as make up and tooth gem applications  (new for 2024) 

§  Inertial: vinyl records, music merchandise, prints, CDs, cassettes, turntables 

§  Kel'made: custom wooden and acrylic pieces made with a laser and made to order gifts  (new for 2024) 

§  Oisin Vintage: vintage clothing, crochet clothing, jewellery, wedding dresses, accessories and shoes 

§  Peppermint Jones: home accessories, artwork, candles, soft furnishings, interior accessories 

§  The Strand Collective: art supplies, books, cameras, film camera repairs and servicing, camera loans 

Delivering a diverse and successful events programme across both the food hall and market area, the monthly ‘Blackpool Makers Market’ (hosted by The Strand Collective) and the quarterly Blackpool Record Fair (hosted by Inertial Sounds) are some examples of key events taking place in the retail side, each drawing hundreds of visitors to the market.  

These events take place within the markets dedicated ‘Space to Create’, hosting around 70 community events alone in the past year. Ranging from pop-up shops, children’s parties, themed markets and fairs, community events, charity workshops, art and photography workshops and more – the events programme at Abingdon Street Market has really made an impact.  

The Space to Create area is currently free to hire, and the team are looking to expand the selection of events held in the retail side of the market next year.  

First birthday celebrations  

Join Abingdon Street Market as they celebrate their first birthday for retail with a weekend of events: 

Live music will be performing on the retail acoustic stage on Sunday 24 November, 12:30pm – 3:30pm, with local singers Sophie and Tanya.

The Strand Collective will also be hosting the Blackpool Makers Market on Sunday 24 November, 10am – 5pm, with 12 additional traders expected.  

Birthday treats! Some of the retailers will be offering exclusive discounts, and there may be some free birthday treats available at the General Store (subject to availability).

If you cannot make the birthday celebrations, the Christmas at Abingdon Street Market programme is now in full festive swing.