Colne Market Hall plans submitted for planning permission
Published Monday, 2nd October 2023
Plans to transform Colne Market Hall creating improved space for traders and shoppers with apartments above have been submitted to Pendle Borough Council.
A public consultation is now underway until Friday 20 October, giving people an opportunity to have their say before the Council reviews the planning application.
Designs are available to view on Pendle Borough Council’s website www.pendle.gov.uk
Click on Planning and Building Control and choose How to view and comment on planning applications. Search for the application using the reference 23/0601/FUL
The application can also be viewed during office hours at Number One Market Street in Nelson, BB9 7LJ - opposite Nelson Town Hall.
The £4.8m development, which includes £3m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, will create a brighter and more modern market hall.
An attractive outside area will allow more space for events and there will be a food hall, greengrocers and small retail and trading space at the front.
Upstairs nine existing apartments will be refurbished to modern living standards and the existing café will be removed to create two new apartments.
The work is a key part of reinvigorating Colne to attract more people into the town centre, boosting the day and night-time economy.
Councillor Asjad Mahmood, Leader of Pendle Borough Council, said: “We are very excited to have reached this stage in the project.
“A lot of hard work has taken place to get to this point and I’m delighted we can now share the plans with everyone.
“Colne Market has been a central feature of the town since it opened in 1973 and the proposed scheme would inject new life into it, making the market a greater part of events such as the Great Rhythm and Blues Festival and Colne Grand Prix.”
Councillor David Whipp, Deputy Leader of Pendle Borough Council and Chair of the Colne Market Working Group, added: “If the scheme gets the green light, this will be a significant step forward in boosting what Colne town centre offers.
“Colne Market has a pivotal role for customers and traders and attracts many visitors to the town - I’m delighted that we’re able to invest in it!”
Colne Market has some long-standing traders including Michael’s Butchers and Farm Shop which has been there for more than 40 years.
Meanwhile, James Wareing of Pendle Home Entertainment has been based there for 18 years.
To allow work to get underway, most traders will be moved a short distance away to the former Poundland shop on Hartley Square, where a temporary market hall will be created.
Shaw’s Greengrocers Veg-it and Michael’s Butchers and Farm Shop will be in Richmond Court, where the health centre pharmacy was, and Granny’s Kitchen is moving to Earnies in Dockray Street.
It’s expected that the traders would be able to move into the new market hall by spring 2025.
PEARL 2 (Pendle Enterprise and Regeneration Ltd), a partnership between Pendle Borough Council and local developer Barnfield, is leading the development.
Colne received £6.5m from round 1 of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund for a range of projects in the heart of the historic market town.
The Little Theatre, The Muni Theatre and Pendle Hippodrome are being restored, creating a new Heritage Quarter which will provide an enhanced programme of events and activities.
To find out more about the Heritage Quarter and Colne Market Hall, visit www.colnelevellingup.co.uk