Plans include the restoration of the Victorian market hall, demolition of a 1960s annex and new public realm works
Blackburn with Darwen Council has granted planning permission for a major redevelopment of Darwen Market Hall, designed by John Puttick Associates. Approved on 17 July, the project forms part of the Darwen Town Deal programme, a £100 million investment plan for the Lancashire town.
The scheme includes the refurbishment of the Grade II listed Victorian market hall, demolition of a 1960s annex and construction of a new arcade, alongside upgrades to the public realm and surrounding infrastructure. The proposals aim to improve accessibility, retain the market’s historic character and enhance its role within the town centre.
The Market Hall will see replacement of the existing roof, internal upgrades to heating, electrics and finishes, with phased construction to allow the market to remain open throughout. A temporary relocation strategy has been developed to reduce disruption to traders and visitors during the refurbishment period.
The 1960s annex is to be replaced by a new arcade intended to improve the pedestrian connection between Market Square and School Street.
John Puttick, director of the practice, said: “The Darwen Town and Market Hall is a remarkable civic building and, together with the market square, forms the heart of the town.
“Our proposals are focused on securing its future through sensitive repair and thoughtful transformation — making it a more inclusive, engaging and sustainable destination for everyone.”
Additional changes include improvements to the adjacent car park, with the introduction of accessible lift access, landscaping works along School Street, new lighting, seating and secure cycle storage. A future phase is outlined in the planning documents, proposing to reopen a currently unused arched space beneath Railway Road for potential use as a venue.
Darwen Town Hall
Darwen Town Hall, which incorporates the town’s Market Hall, was the outcome of a design competition overseen by Alfred Waterhouse. The winning architect, London-based Charles Bell, had previously trained under John Giles.
Known for designing the layout, lodges and chapels of Hampstead Cemetery, Bell was commissioned to produce a combined civic building after initial proposals for separate market and town halls were combined.
The completed structure served as the headquarters of Darwen Borough Council until local government reorganisation in 1974. In 2011, a Heritage Lottery Fund-supported scheme reinstated five small retail units on the ground floor.
The development follows John Puttick Associates’ earlier work in the borough, including the Fusebox youth centre project for Blackburn Youth Zone.
The £25 million Darwen Town Deal funding was secured by the Town Deal Board and is being supplemented by further investment, including £20 million from the Government’s Plan for Neighbourhoods programme.
Project team
Client: Blackburn with Darwen Council
Architect: John Puttick Associates
Structural engineer: Marston & Grundy
M&E consultant: Parker Wilson
QS: Appleyard & Truw
Project manager: Turner & Townsend
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