Friends in market to launch a revival
THE February halfterm is being eyed for a relaunch of Bacup Market, with a communityled drive to boost its footfall based around major events.
A new Friends group is being set up, as attempts are made to emulate the success of Rawtenstall, with Crowdfunding and exploration of other funding opportunities.
Volunteers are sought to join a ‘Friends of Bacup Market’ group to help push forwards the changes required from within the community. The aim is for the new group - independent of Rossendale council to eventually take over from the role the Bacup Business Association (BBA) has been playing in the Bacup Market Regeneration Group. It would act as a liaison between traders and the community, and a means of accessing funding pots.
Rachel Weinhold, of the BBA, says they are having to be a little bit ‘cagey’ at the moment following previous government funding knockbacks, but says they are aiming to pull in the crowds this month.
She told the Free Press: “Bacup Market has been completely left in the doldrums. Rawtenstall Market has had this great investment
and is doing brilliantly. It’s had the lion’s share of the investment and attention, when Bacup and Haslingden Market have just been left. As a community we are going to do it ourselves. Led by the traders we are going to put on events and have some sort of Crowdfunding. We need to make it look nice. The whole market looks downmarket
so we want some benches and planting. We will be reaching out to the business community.”
It’s more than 12 months now since Rossendale council’s £11.7m Future High Streets regeneration funding bid for Bacup town centre was unsuccessful.
However, a consultation on how to spend the town’s £1.2 million under the High
Street Heritage Action Zone project is ongoing, and will run until February 18.
As well as upgrades for up to 22 buildings and public realm works to Burnley Road Memorial Garden, community events and a cultural programme are among key outcomes.
Rachel admitted there is no “magic market fairy” after the Bacup 2040 Vision was unsuccessful, however they are hopeful of accessing some ‘levelling up’ funding.
Over half-term there will be a variety of familyfriendly events planned, with activities such as storytelling, basket weaving, and knitting, culminating in a big market day event on Saturday, February 19.
Bacup Makers Market returns to Bacup Market this Sunday, promising crafts, bakes, street food and artisan wares. It runs from 11am to 4pm. Haslingdnen’s Makers Market will be revisiting Haslingden on Saturday, February 13.