Bacup Market’s £8.3m redevelopment plans get go-ahead from Rossendale Borough Council

The concept design for the £8.3million redevelopment of Bacup Market and Union Street has been given the green light by Rossendale Borough Council.

Plans for the new community-focused market – to be called Temple Court – include the construction of a state-of-the-art two-storey Market Hall offering local produce, crafts, food and drink on the ground floor and a cycle hub and makers’ spaces on the upper floor.

The vision, created by retail development experts Market Curators, and developed and finalised by architects the Frank Whittle Partnership, intends to offer a broader provision of food and drink options and seating within a food hall to encourage visitors to spend more time in the area both during the day and early evening.

Heritage experts have also been appointed to ensure that the carbon friendly facility fuses with Bacup’s historic streetscene.

The cycle hub hopes to provide a retail offer as well as a bicycle repairs and hire service enabling people to discover the Rossendale Valley on two wheels. The hub will be in close proximity to Lee Quarry – an 8km mountain bike trail – and the Valley of Stone Cycleway.

The Market Hall will be built on the site of the former Barclays Bank, which backs onto the open market in the heart of the town centre and is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.

Apart from the food and drink offer a full programme of weekly, monthly and annual events will be held including pop-up stalls, specialist markets and live entertainment.

The outdoor market will be home to traditional stalls selling a variety of fresh food, creative works and household wares.

As part of the redevelopment, Union Street, which runs adjacent to the market, will be made one way, and footpaths widened to give priority to pedestrians over vehicles and provide an opportunity for businesses to spill onto the pavements.

Funding for the scheme has successfully been secured by Rossendale Borough Council through the Capital Regeneration Project, supported by Levelling Up.

The Council is now seeking an experienced Managing Operator to establish Temple Court as a destination for visitors and bring the vision to life and will be holding an event for interested parties to talk through the plans in the coming months.

Public engagement sessions are now to be held at Bacup Library on Monday, February 26, 10am to 1pm, and Wednesday, February 28, 4pm to 6.45pm when the plans and images of the proposals will be on show.

Comments will also be sought from members of Bacup 2040 Partnership Board, Market Traders, the Bacup Business Association, other market operators and various community groups.

The plans will also feature on the Council’s website www.rossendale.gov.uk throughout the month of February, where members of the public can submit their comments to economicdevelopment@rossendalebc.gov.uk

Rossendale Borough Council leader Cllr Alyson Barnes said: “The rejuvenation of the market area presents another opportunity to improve Bacup town centre and will address challenges faced by lots of markets around the country.

“In recent years we have seen declining footfall and trader numbers. We believe this investment will foster community development and address market traders’ economic difficulties.

“The current market is an important asset to the town centre but at present it struggles to extend its appeal beyond a small, loyal customer base. Temple Court will appeal to a much wider area with its food and drink offer and the cycle hub.

“The concept designs will allow us to approach dynamic and experienced organisations to play a pivotal role in establishing the new market. We look forward to engaging with potential partners in the coming months.”

The market redevelopment follows the success of the Bacup Townscape Heritage Initiative from 2014-2019 and the £1.3million Heritage Action Zone Project which runs until April this year.

Rossendale Borough Council has used this funding to contribute towards the significant improvements to the grade II listed former Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank.

It has also updated Hempsteads Memorial Garden, created the Bacup Cultural Consortium, who deliver engaging, inclusive, fun and interactive activities, and made improvements to 13 buildings in the town centre.