Colne market hall, cinema idea and Hippodrome updates welcomed but concern over Muni costs

Latest stages of work in redeveloping Colne’s market hall have generally been welcomed by Pendle councillors – and a revived idea to potentially open a cinema there.

Elsewhere in Colne, upgrades to the Pendle Hippodrome theatre have also been welcomed. But one councillor has called for details about work at the nearby Muni entertainment venue, which is delayed and gone over-budget by thousands of pounds.

Pendle Council is searching for up to £700,000 of its own money to complete upgrades to the Muni, after there was unexpected extra work and the original Levelling-Up allocation was spent. Contractors and consultants are involved in the different schemes too with the council.

Borough councillors on Pendle’s Colne area committee discussed the various Levelling-Up projects, agreed and funded under the previous Conservative government. at their latest meeting.

A brief written update for councillors stated work is nearly complete and under-budget at the Hippodrome Theatre. Its handover was scheduled for early July, which was slightly ahead of the original expectated date.

Meanwhile, work at the Municipal Hall, known as The Muni, is continuing with completion scheduled by August 22, in time for the blues festival.

Regarding Colne market hall, the report said work there  is continuing. Asbestos removal has started, the front canopy has been removed and internal and external strip-out work is continuing.

Options for the market hall’s inside layout to accommodate low ceilings at the front are under development and should be complete in July. Consultants working with th council at a firm called Quarterbridge are finishing a report on the market’s future operation. That could involve a private operator.

The report added: “The project team continues to review proposals for future phases to satisfy more-fully the original Levelling-Up Fund bid for more accommodation and a cinema. The team is also looking at the feasibility of relocating the outdoor market to Hartley Square during the works period.”

Committee chairman Conservative Coun David Cockburn-Price said: “We note there is some good news with the Hippodrome being on schedule and under budget. We hope the Muni gets there too. We are not privy to the financial information.”

Mary Thomson, a Colne Town Council representative, said: “I’ve said during talks that the town council does not have the expertise to run a market. It needs someone who really knows what they are doing.”

Conservative Coun Sarah-Cockburn Price felt future decision-making about stalls at the revamped market would be best done by people without personal links or knowledge of stall holders.”

She said: “I think it’s best for people not to know the personalities. When  they are thinking about stalls, we want them to make the best commercial decisions.”

Conservative Coun Kevin Salter said: “Is the cinema idea now in the public domain? I was asked about it the other day.”

David Cockburn-Price confirmed it was and added: “A cinema was part of the original idea. Also town centre living. The food hall and cinema were all part of the idea.”

Conservative Coun Ash Sutcliffe said: ” I’m delighted to see that the fabric of the market hall building is being addressed. Removing the canopy makes people aware. Seeing physical changes makes people know something is happening.

“It’s also god to hear what Mary says about Colne Town Council and the market. I think private management is the right way to go. We have less than 12 months before the building is supposed to be coming back on-line into use. So we need to be nailing this down.”

During the market hall revamp, traders have been relocated to various sites in Colne town centre. Soome have gone to a large shop unit at nearby Hartley Square.

Regarding the future outdoor market,  Coun Sutcliffe said it was raised early in the revamp project. He added: “I think it’s important that the stalls are together, bringing strength in numbers. I think one of the jobs to be done was to paint bollards outside. We own Hartley Square and we need to fully explore options for it. I cannot see why it cannot be used.  Some parking spaces and double yellow lines are abused. I would have no problem in cordoning-off an area for safety and people, for the benefit of stallholders.”

Regarding the theatre venue upgrades, he said: “I’m delighted the Hippodrome has come under budget. We had serious concerns tjhat the Muni was not under budget. I hope we are privy to information, It’s public money.

“The Hippodrome is very similar in size and has been done under budget. Something has happened at the Muni and I want to know why?”