Plans for the refurbishment of Abingdon Street Market in Blackpool have been approved.

The Planning Application was submitted to Blackpool Council by Turley in May and the refurbishment will now commence immediately, with an anticipated reopening of the market in spring 2022.

Turley spokesperson Daniel Ramsay said: "The market's renovation will modernise the both the internal space as well as the external façade, whilst respecting its heritage as part of the Town Centre Conservation Area.

"The renovations will deliver a more contemporary, attractive marketplace with new features that will encourage shoppers and visitors to stop and socialise, stay for longer and spend more, also boosting footfall and retail trade in the surrounding area."

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The planning application is for the demolition of a single storey extension on Police Street, the external refurbishment of all façades, and the replacement of access doors and windows with new feature glazed frontages.

Internal plans include:

• An extended food and beverage quarter with 250 seats for consumption of food and beverages purchased in the market

• Stalls for food produce, food and beverage, artisan stalls and flexible retail units

• Coffee stall and bar area

The market closed its doors at the start of the lockdown period and has remained closed due to the urgency and severity of some of maintenance works that are required.

A lease has been signed for the former Topshop unit located at 18-22 Victoria Street. Preston-based commercial property consultants Robert Pinkus & Co. LLP acted on behalf of the landlord. Blackpool Council and Eddisons, the market’s estate team, have been talking individually with traders about their temporary relocation.

Alan Cavill, Director of Communications and Regeneration at Blackpool Council said: "We continue to work closely on a one-to-one basis with all the traders throughout the process, to ensure their needs and concerns are met over the coming months. Due to a couple of setbacks that were out of our control, we have now relocated the stallholders that wished to move into the Victoria Street property and Council premises."