Trader Survey – We will shortly be doing a survey of town centre traders to get views on the Christmas celebrations and an idea of trading conditions in the town. We will also be putting together a survey for market traders on various issues to obtain formal feedback and help us review the Market Handbook.
Cleaning – Cleaning the Market and its environs is a neverending task. Our team of porters work hard to keep the place as clean and tidy as possible and much of this takes place when there’s no-one about. During our regular discussions on this issue the porters raised the issue of getting better cleaning equipment. As a result we have purchased new equipment which is lighter and more efficient. Hopefully you will notice the difference.
Workstart – In response to the request for more hands in the market we are liaising with our colleagues at Lancashire County Council and JobCentre to employ people via the workstart scheme. This is where people are obliged to undertake work in order to maintain their benefits and ease them back into work, as it is much easier to find work if you are already working. We will shortly be taking on some people to assist us. The aim of this is to free up time for the existing porters.
Regeneration – The town centre will be undergoing some major changes in the next few years. Work on the new bus station is due to commence shortly and it is due to be completed by 2015. We have also submitted a Heritage Lottery Bid to improve shop fronts on Blackburn Road and in front of the Town Hall/Market Hall. If the latter is successful these two schemes alone will see major improvements to the physical environment of the town centre. They will complement the changes that have already taken place, such as the new rail station, the improvements to St James’s churchyard and of course our refurbished Market Hall.
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