A concept which has undoubtedly breathed new life into previously tired market halls, such as Southport Market Hall building (featured photograph) seems to be providing a blueprint for an imaginatively revived Abington Street market in Blackpool. Plans for the renovated market reveal a bright, modern space created, which include:

• A new 250 seating area for socialising and enjoying food & drinks purchased in the market
• Six dedicated food outlets and two bar areas
• A range of units providing food produce, artisan stalls and flexible retail space for independent traders
• Café/coffee stall and bar area

The Little Blackpool Leisure Company Limited, made up of Blackpool born directors Andrew Shields and James Lucas, and locally based Jake Whittington (pictured below) have now agreed terms with Blackpool Council to bring the market into their portfolio of local, successful businesses!

Abingdon Street Market will join the company’s existing Blackpool ventures including the South American street joint Common Bar & Kitchen and Nook Wine Room & Terrace.

Andy Shields, Director of Little Blackpool Leisure Company Limited, said: ‘We’re thrilled to share this amazing news! Abingdon Street Market is – quite literally – the heart of our town centre and it means so much to everyone in the Blackpool area, as so many of us will have memories of visiting the market throughout the years. And that’s exactly why it’s so important to us that we retain that sense of the space being a local landmark which caters for local people.;

Inspired by the other successful market propositions in Manchester and Liverpool, our ambition is to turn Abingdon Street Market into the beating heart of our town centre, bringing a mix of quality, and most importantly local, food vendors and traders under one roof.”

The first phase of Abingdon Street Market is anticipated to open in June 2023.

Abingdon Street Market has received £3.6 million from the UK Government through the Getting Building Fund and £300,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and £90k from the UK Government through the Historic England Heritage Action Zone programme.

If you are interested in learning more about trading/general opportunities available at Abingdon Street Market, please contact Little Blackpool Leisure Limited.

Will Abingdon Market now look similar to today’s scene in Southport’s previously tired, out-of-date Market Hall?