Quarterbridge was appointed by Blackburn Council to prepare costed feasibility studies to relocate Blackburn indoor market in response to deterioration of the 1970’s building. One option was to relocate into a new structural shell offered as part of an extension to Blackburn Shopping Centre whose owners were keen to attract another footfall generator.
Quarterbridge prepared a specification, design and equipment brief for Architects Capita Symonds which covered all the H&V, M&E, stallage and equipment requirements. OJEU and single-point sourcing were used to meet design and quality standards and the display equipment modified to meet the demanding requirements of a market environment.
Stallholders were relocated in a single move into a contemporary design. The layout of Blackburn Market is based on best practice from European developments and several principles adopted by supermarket designers. Sightlines are opened-up by using underfloor LPHW heating and stall allocation controlled to avoid the blocking of sightlines and promote comparison-shopping.
Quarterbridge negotiated the relocation agreements with stallholders and organized the new allocations. The new Blackburn Market incorporates a foodcourt and full IT services for all stalls with footfall driven by escalator links to the shopping centre and a shoppers car park sitting above that.
Blackburn Market was awarded the prize of ‘Best UK Indoor Market’ by NABMA in 2012.
